Red Zone access restricted after Islamabad protests over Khamenei killing

Traffic police limit entry to Margalla Road and Marriott route as police disperse demonstrators, Section 144 imposed

The Islamabad Traffic Police on Monday announced that entry into the Red Zone will remain open only through Margalla Road and the route via the Islamabad Marriott Hotel, while all other access points have been closed due to security arrangements.

An ITP official told Associated Press of Pakistan that commuters heading towards the Red Zone must use the designated Margalla Road and Marriott routes, as the remaining entry points will stay sealed until further notice.

He said citizens coming from Club Road are advised to proceed via Kashmir Chowk, Srinagar Highway, and Seventh Avenue before taking Margalla Road towards the Red Zone.

Read: Protests turn deadly across Pakistan

The restrictions come a day after protests erupted in Islamabad’s Red Zone following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes launched by Israel and the United States.

Similarly, commuters travelling from Bhara Kahu should use Kashmir Chowk, Srinagar Highway, Seventh Avenue, and Margalla Road as the approved alternative route.

The officials urged motorists to cooperate with traffic police and strictly follow the advisory to avoid inconvenience.

Yesterday, Millat-e-Jafaria Pakistan announced a protest in the federal capital after news of Khamenei’s killing. Thousands of demonstrators gathered at Aabpara Chowk on the call of Shia religious leaders and declared their intention to march towards the US Embassy.

Police responded by sealing all entry points to the Red Zone with containers and deploying heavy contingents along Embassy Road. When protesters were stopped, clashes broke out, with demonstrators pelting stones and police resorting to tear gas shelling.

The crowd later moved through Serena Chowk and reached the gate of the Diplomatic Enclave, where authorities intensified the crackdown using additional tear gas and aerial firing before pushing protesters back towards Aabpara Chowk.

Reports indicated that several protesters were injured during the unrest, while a police checkpoint at Serena Chowk was set on fire, and multiple vehicles were damaged.

Among those participating were leaders of the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), including party chief and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Red Zone and described the situation as a day of mourning for the Muslim Ummah. He urged citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to register protests peacefully.

Later, police dispersed the demonstrators at Serena Chowk, and traffic flow in the area was restored.

Islamabad Traffic Police on Monday announced that entry into the Red Zone will remain open only through Margalla Road and the route via Marriott Hotel [Source: X]

Separately, the district administration imposed Section 144 across the federal capital. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon announced the measure on X, declaring all forms of public gatherings unlawful and warning of strict legal action against violators.

Protests were also reported in Karachi and Lahore following confirmation of Khamenei’s death by Iranian state media.

Read More: US cancels visa appointments in Pakistan after deadly protests

In the wider regional fallout, Iran reportedly launched hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation, targeting US forces and sites in Israel and allied Arab states, disrupting regional air travel.

US President Donald Trump defended the strikes, saying they were aimed at ending a decades-long threat from Iran and preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.