ISLAMABAD    -     The local administration on Monday formally extended federal capital’s high-security Red Zone up to 
Zero Point from Ataturk Avenue as 
part of its measures to stop the entry of participants of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s anti-government long march into the central 
parts of the city.
The Red Zone has now been divided into Zone-I and Zone-II and its 
end up at the Faisal Avenue (8th Avenue), according to the details shared 
by the Ministry of Interior. The decision was taken after formal approval 
of the Ministry of Interior.
Zone-II consists of extended areas 
and Margalla Road and Blue Area, 
the main commercial hub of Islamabad, up to Faisal Avenue have been 
made part of it. The Srinagar Highway, starting from Convention Center, up to Zero Point will also be part 
of the zone.
The gatherings and rallies have 
been banned inside the Red Zone as 
the government has imposed Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code 
(CrPC) in the area.
According to an announcement 
made by the Islamabad Police, Rana 
Hussain has been appointed first superintendent of police for the extended Red Zone.
The opposition PTI had already 
submitted an application with Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) seeking permission for its protest rally and sit-in 
that will start on November 4 on 
the main Srinagar Highway (between sectors H-9 and G-9) of the 
federal capital.
Chairman PTI Imran Khan started its long march from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk on October 28 to force 
the government for early elections. 
It will reach Islamabad after having stopovers in different cities and 
towns along the Grand Trunk Road. 
Earlier, the Red Zone comprised the 
areas starting from Third Avenue to 
Ataturk Avenue that ends near Serena Hotel. Many important government and private installations including the Diplomatic Enclave, 
Prime Minister’s Office, President 
House, Supreme Court, Parliament 
House and two five luxury hotels are 
housed in the area.
Earlier in the day, two senior PTI 
leaders again visited the office of 
Deputy Commission Islamabad to 
get no objection certificate (NC) for 
the protest rally in the capital but 
to no avail. PTI Islamabad president 
and MNA Ali Nawaz Awan while 
talking to reporters, along with senior party lawyer Dr Babar Awan, 
said that they had provided all the 
required information sought by the 
administration from them. “Islamabad Administration is committing 
contempt of court by not issuing the 
NOC,” he said.