Metro Bus and Green Line resume as Islamabad roads reopen after week-long closure

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:

After a week-long suspension, public transport services in Islamabad were restored on Sunday, with Metro Bus and Green Line services resuming operations. Several roads, including Srinagar Expressway and 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 as it negotiated a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, followed by high-stakes 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 implemented to ensure a permanent truce.

A second round of talks was expected to be held 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 meeting senior officials.

Islamabad Police said in a post on The capital’s police advised citizens to allow more travel time and cooperate with the traffic police.

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

Quaid-e-Azam University, in a notification issued on Sunday, announced that all academic activities on campus will resume from Monday. However, he added that all austerity measures already implemented will remain in force.

The university, along with several other institutions, moved to remote learning last week ahead of anticipated talks.

In Rawalpindi, security at churches has been further tightened following instructions from city police officer Syed Khalid Hamdani. Senior officers supervise preparations on the ground, while thorough body searches are carried out before entry.

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

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

Read: Despite US-Iran stalemate, Trump again praises ‘great’ Prime Minister Shehbaz and ‘fantastic’ CDF Munir

On Saturday night, authorities eased movement restrictions in the twin cities, reopening public and freight transport and restoring key civic facilities after a week-long crackdown linked to increased security measures.

The Islamabad administration allowed all types of transport to enter the city, while bus terminals resumed operations except for Faizabad, which will remain closed until further notice.

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

In parallel with the reopening, the authorities revised the business hours through a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon.

According to the updated order, all shops, markets and shopping centers will close at 8:00 pm throughout the week, including weekends.

However, essential services including pharmacies, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations and dairy establishments are exempt. Hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and food establishments will close at 10 p.m., while takeaway and delivery services will remain unrestricted.

Read more: Twin Cities Grow Again as Travel Restrictions End

In Rawalpindi, the district administration also announced the restoration of all entry and exit routes for public, private and goods transport. Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said all routes had been reopened, although the Pirwadhai General Bus Stand would remain closed until further notice.

Officials said public and freight transport in Rawalpindi had remained suspended for the past week due to security arrangements for planned peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad. Authorities have now lifted those restrictions and announced that Pirwadhai and other transport terminals will reopen from Monday morning (tomorrow).

The administration also confirmed the resumption of mass transportation services. The Metro Bus service will be fully operational from Sunday and will run between Saddar station in Rawalpindi and Shaheed-e-Millat station in Islamabad, while Parade Ground and Secretary stations will remain closed until further notice.

Additionally, the Punjab government’s electric bus service will also resume from Sunday (today), and all electric vehicle routes in the city will be operational, providing commuters with restored intra-city transportation facilities.