SAUDI CROWN PRINCE MBS PAKISTAN VISIT TO SEE AIRSPACE CLOSURE, MOBILE PHONES OFF

  Thursday, 14 February 2019
source: shiitenews

Airspace will be shut down, cellphone services partially suspended and main routes closed to heavy traffic in Islamabad and Rawalpindi over the weekend to ensure security during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's upcoming two-day visit to Pakistan, police sources said.
The crown prince, at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, will visit Pakistan on Feb 16 and 17. Mohammad bin Salman will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including other members of the royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.
During his stay, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be signing a number of agreements and MoUs related to diverse sectors, including investment, finance, power, renewable energy, internal security, media, culture and sports.
According to an Arab News report quoting Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, the crown prince will be the first state guest to stay at the official residence of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Chaudhry said the crown prince's own security team would be guarding PM House during his stay, alongside on-duty Pakistani security officials.
As part of security measures planned for the crown prince's visit, there will be over 1,000 check points set up in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and law enforcement officials will be posted along the twin cities' main routes, from which heavy traffic will be barred for two days. The metro bus service will remain restricted to Rawalpindi, the sources said.
Additionally, shoot-on-sight orders have been issued for drones and other remote-controlled aviation toys, the sources added.
Arab News reported that Saudi security and intelligence officials are expected to be present across the capital for the two days that the crown prince is visiting.
According to security sources, luxury vehicles from Saudi Arabia were brought to Nur Khan Airbase on two C-130 aircraft on Wednesday. The cars include seven BMW 7 series and one Land Cruiser.
The crown prince's personal belongings have been transported to Prime Minister House in eight containers, sources said.
Sources said as many as 750 rooms have been booked in eight Islamabad hotels for the Saudi guests. The hotels have been given orders to cancel advance bookings. A day before the Saudi delegation's arrival, the hotels will be closed for security clearance and officials will take control of the hotels' security. No one will be able to use the hotels until the delegation's arrival, the sources added.

They said the crown prince will be accompanied by a 40-member delegation and a contingent of royal guards on the plane when he travels to Pakistan.
The Islamabad Expressway will be shut for the VVIP movement, while the route from Koral Chowk to Faisal Avenue 15 u-turn will be shut down at various times.
Murree Road - from the Faizabad Interchange to Serena Chowk will remain closed, while Shahrah-i-Dastoor will be shut down from Radio Pakistan to Serena Hotel.
Traffic from Peshawar, Kahuta and Murree will be diverted to an alternative route, the sources said.
Sources in the capital administration suggested that those going to offices or schools leave their homes earlier than usual in order to avoid facing inconvenience.



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