Pakistan Tightens Islamabad Security Ahead of May 10 Ceasefire First Anniversary — Capital on Heightened Alert

Pakistani authorities tightened security measures across Islamabad on May 9, 2026 as the capital prepared for the first anniversary of the May 10, 2025 ceasefire agreement that ended the India-Pakistan Marka-e-Haq/Operation Sindoor conflict. Traffic advisories were issued restricting movement in central Islamabad, with heightened police and paramilitary deployments around key government installations and media centers. The heightened security reflects Pakistan's broader week-long national commemoration of what the government calls its 'Marka-e-Haq victory' — encompassing the Corps Commanders' Conference (May 5), the Marka-e-Haq book launch (May 6), the Tu Yaad Rakhein promo (May 6), the DG ISPR tri-service press conference (May 7), the anniversary documentary release (May 8), and the culminating May 10 ceremonies. Arab News, reflecting regional Gulf media interest in the India-Pakistan bilateral dynamics, covered the Islamabad security surge. The ceasefire itself has held across all major fronts as of May 9, 2026 — one year since the US-brokered suspension of hostilities. The bilateral standoff remains frozen: Indian and Pakistani airspace mutually closed until May 24, Indus Waters Treaty suspended, all direct trade halted, no ambassadors exchanged.