Businesses resume, transportation is restored, day laborers breathe a sigh of relief
Police officers patrol a market in Federal Area B during the micro-smart lockdown that was imposed in four locations in the city in January. Photo: archive
RAWALPINDI:
After being sealed for 12 days due to security arrangements linked to efforts at Iran-US peace talks in Islamabad, the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have fully reopened, restoring normal life.
Transport services resumed, markets reopened and business activities recovered immediately, especially in wholesale markets.
Residents of areas surrounding Noor Khan Chaklala Air Base, including Khanna Road, Shakrial, Islamabad Expressway, Shah Khalid Colony and Shah Faisal Colony, were allowed to return to rooftops, open windows and resume their daily activities.
Hotels, restaurants, wedding halls and marquees have reopened, and bookings for weddings and related events have restarted. The reopening of transport terminals allowed citizens to travel in and out of cities.
On Sunday, jewelery and electronics markets and workshops along Murree Road and Rawal Road opened for the first time after almost two weeks. Day laborers also resumed work, bringing relief after days of financial hardship.
With freight transport restored, consignments of pulses, sugar and essential items started arriving at wholesale markets from Faisalabad and Sargodha.
The Metro Bus service resumed and witnessed an overwhelming rush on the first day. Universities and colleges reopened after online classes ended. Workers laid off during the transport shutdown, including bus stewards, drivers, conductors and workers, are being called back.
Traders, transporters and residents expressed their joy at the reopening, but harshly criticized the government for the closure.
Trader leaders Hammad Qureshi and Sheikh Waheed said traders suffered a lot without receiving any help from the government.
Sharif Qureshi called the closure unjustified, while Kamil Shah criticized the closure of educational institutions and questioned why local institutions were closed when those in countries at war remained open.
