Rawalpindi authorities have placed the city on high alert and ordered the closure of all restaurants, parks, beauty parlours, markets, snooker clubs, gyms, shopping malls and Quetta hotels from midnight on April 18 until further notice.

Officials said strict action will be taken against any violations of the order.

In a major security-related decision, all boys’ and girls’ hostels within city limits, including those linked to institutions such as Barani University, have also been ordered to shut down until further notice.

According to police, extraordinary security arrangements have been put in place due to the movement of foreign delegations in the city.

Barani University authorities confirmed that the main campus and all affiliated institutions will remain closed from April 18 to April 26 on security grounds. A formal notification has been issued.

Police have also issued notices to hostel owners, directing them to vacate all hostels by midnight and send residents back to their homes. Authorities warned that legal action will be taken if boys or girls are found staying in hostels during the closure period.

Earlier, a high-level meeting chaired by City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani reviewed security arrangements for ensuring foolproof protection.

Officials were briefed that more than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city, along with over 600 special pickets at key locations. All entry and exit points are under strict surveillance, while additional forces have been stationed on major roads.

Elite commandos, trained snipers, and special teams from the Elite Force, Dolphin Force, police station mobile units and other rapid response units have been deployed for round-the-clock patrols.

Authorities said strict checking mechanisms have been enforced across the city, with enhanced security at all entry points.

The Safe City system, CCTV surveillance network and modern monitoring technology are being used for 24/7 oversight, with officials continuously reviewing real-time reports from the control room.