Metro Bus, Green Line resumes as Islamabad roads reopen after week-long shutdown

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:

After a week-long suspension, public transport in Islamabad was restored on Sunday, with the Metro Bus Service and Green Line resuming operations. Several roads, including the Srinagar highway and the Express highway, were reopened after the Iranian delegation left Islamabad on Saturday without holding talks.

Bus terminals have largely returned to normal operations, except for Faizabad, while the red zone remains sealed.

Pakistan took center stage when it brokered a 14-day ceasefire between the US and Iran, followed by high-level talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from the two countries. Although the talks did not yield the desired results, the ceasefire remains intact and confidence-building measures are being pursued to secure a permanent ceasefire.

A second round of talks was expected to take place in the capital this week; However, US President Donald Trump on Saturday canceled a planned visit by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Pakistan. The Iranian foreign minister also left Pakistan after meetings with senior officials.

Islamabad Police said in a posting on X that diversion on Srinagar Highway and Express Highway may continue at different times, potentially affecting traffic flow. The capital’s police advised citizens to allow extra travel time and cooperate with the traffic police.

The DC added that personnel have been deployed across major roads to assist commuters and ensure smooth traffic management. Citizens have also been urged to follow the police WhatsApp channel for updates.

Quaid-e-Azam University announced in a notification issued on Sunday that all academic activities on the campus will resume from Monday. However, it added that any austerity measures already implemented will continue to remain in place.

The university, along with several other institutions, had switched to distance learning last week ahead of the expected interviews.

In Rawalpindi, security has been further strengthened at churches on the instructions of city police officer Syed Khalid Hamdani. Senior officers monitor arrangements in the field while thorough pre-entry body searches are carried out.

Authorities said all available resources are being used to ensure the protection of religious gatherings and to maintain law and order. Worshipers have been asked to cooperate with security personnel, who have been instructed to maintain a courteous demeanor.

Officials said the overall situation remains under control and movement restrictions are expected to ease gradually as operations conclude.

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Authorities on Saturday evening eased movement restrictions across the twin cities, reopening public and freight transport and restoring key civic amenities after a week-long crackdown linked to heightened security arrangements.

The administration in Islamabad allowed all modes of transport to enter the city, while bus terminals resumed operations with the exception of Faizabad, which will remain closed until further notice.

Public spaces including walking trails, parks, Daman-e-Koh and Lake View Park have also been reopened.

Along with the reopening, the authorities revised the opening hours through a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon.

According to the updated order, all shops, markets and malls will close at 20:00 all week, including weekends.

However, essential services including pharmacies, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations and dairy outlets are exempted. Hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and grocery stores close at 22.00, while takeaway and home delivery will remain unlimited.

Read more: Twin Cities rolling again as travel edge ends

In Rawalpindi, the district administration also announced the restoration of all entry and exit routes for private, public and freight transport. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema said all routes had been reopened, though the Pirwadhai General Bus Stand will remain closed for the time being.

Officials said public and freight transport in Rawalpindi had remained suspended for the past week due to security arrangements for expected US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad. The authorities have now lifted these restrictions and announced that Pirwadhai and other transport terminals will reopen from Monday morning (tomorrow).

The administration also confirmed the resumption of mass transit services. The metro bus service will become fully operational from Sunday and run between Saddar Station in Rawalpindi and Shaheed-e-Millat Station in Islamabad, while the Parade Ground and Secretariat stations will remain closed until further notice.

Additionally, the Punjab government electric bus service will also resume from Sunday (today) with all EV routes across the city becoming operational, providing commuters with restored transport facilities in the city.