• Some roads, markets closed, transport suspended
• Many varsities start online classes and others remain open
RAWALPINDI: The residents of Rawalpindi are in a state of confusion as some roads have been closed while others remain open, many universities and schools have been shut while others continue to operate. Moreover, both goods and public transport are off the roads.
These disruptions come as the second round of US-Iran peace talks has yet to begin in Islamabad, prompting the government to implement heightened security measures in this regard.
The roads around Nur Khan Airbase and the area between Rawalpindi and Islamabad were closed. Markets in Raja Bazaar, Saddar and other areas were opened, but those in residential streets around the old airport as well on Murree Road from Shamsabad to Faizabad were closed.
Moreover, the Metro Bus Service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad and the electric buses remained suspended while the district administration directed to also suspend all public and goods transport connecting the city with other parts of the country for the last two days.
In most parts of the city, life continued as usual and the trademark hustle and bustle I. Saddar and other commercial areas remained unchanged. Shops opened as per routine and even vendors brought out their pushcarts. But this normality faded away as soon as one entered the old Airport Road, Peshawar Road and Murree Road which connect with Islamabad.
Heavy deployment of police and other law enforcement agencies were visible around the old airport. Here and there, even barbed wire was visible on streets around the airbase and the old airport. In government and private offices, there was less attendance as mostly people failed to reach their workplaces. There was confusion as some schools declared holidays while public sector schools remained open.
On the other hand, universities in the garrison city have already closed their campuses and started online classes. Banks were opened but they recorded low attendance.
“We waited for an announcement from the local administration and education department but after seeing no response, we announced a holiday late on Sunday night as we did not want to put children in difficult situation to reach school,” said Mohammad Afzal, an administration official of a private school in Shamsabad.
People raised questions about the rational of different notifications issued by different universities as Fatima Jinnah Women University and Rawalpindi Women University announced to hold online classes till April 24 while Pir Mehar Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University announced to hold online classes till April 26.
“My daughter is studying at FJWU and she has been informed that online classes will be held till April 24. My nephew is studying at Arid Agriculture University and they were told to take online classes till April 26,” said Jamil Riaz, a resident of Satellite Town.
He said there was also confusion about the closer of the public transport.
A senior official of district administration told Dawn that there was no public holiday and they did not ask schools to close. He said security measures had been adopted without closing bazaars and markets in main commercial hubs of the city and cantonment.
On the other hand, Rawalpindi Anjuman-i-Tajran President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha told Dawn that Raja Bazaar and the grain market remained open on Monday. However, he said that bazaars and markets around the old airport and Murree Road and bordering areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were closed. “There is confusion as goods transport was off the roads and shopkeepers were selling products available in their godowns. The situation will worsen if the goods transport remained suspended for two more days,” he said.
Cantonment Traders Association Secretary General Zafar Qadri said that Saddar remained open and shopkeepers were ready to close shops if directed by the administration as part of the security arrangements.
However, he said that traders were worried as there was less business and the fresh supply of products was not possible as long as goods transport service remained suspended.
Public transport service
The suspension of government public transport like Metro Bus Service and electric buses put the residents in a difficult situation as bykea’s and taxi cabs cashed in on the situation.
After the increase in the petroleum prices, the Punjab government made the metro and electric bus services free for commuters for a month and people mostly started raveling on these buses. Now the facility has been suspended in connection with the security arrangements.
“I go to Raja Bazaar from Qasim Market to get some food items from Narankari Bazaar and the private transport vehicle charged Rs120 fare on one side and the motorcycle service charged Rs300,” said Mohammad Faisal.
He said that if the electric bus was available, he would save Rs500. He said that in routine, the bus fare was Rs25 for male passengers while it was free for women and students.
Naveed Ahmed, a resident of Committee Chowk, said that he went to Benazir Bhutto Hospital to get medicine for skin allergy and the Suzuki charged Rs100 for one side and in routine days, he can go free in the metro bus.
He said that bykea demanded Rs120 from Committee Chowk to Benazir Bhutto Hospital.
When contacted, a senior official of the district administration said that electric bus and metro bus services were suspended for security reason and will remain closed for a couple of more days.
Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2026
