Rawalpindi: The local administration has imposed heavy fines on several shopkeepers for keeping their businesses open despite the announcement of a complete lockdown in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday.
Extraordinary security measures ahead of high-stakes US-Iran talks reportedly held in Islamabad turned large parts of Rawalpindi and the federal capital into a near lockdown, confining residents to their homes and severely disrupting routine life.
Even petrol pumps in several areas including Murree Road were shut due to the restrictions. The lockdown will also continue on Saturday (today). Central Association of Traders Rawalpindi President Shahid Ghaffar Piracha, through a notification, had already informed traders to comply with lockdown orders. In view of the prevailing security situation, special instructions were issued by Assistant Commissioner City Madam Iman Zafar and SP City.
The traders were informed that there would be a complete shutter-down on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All small and large bazaars, plazas, retail and wholesale markets including Cantt Saddar would remain closed.
The local administration, along with law enforcement agencies, sealed Old Airport Road and all routes leading to Nur Khan Airbase by placing containers and barbed wire. In an unusual move, even service roads, link roads, and inner streets were blocked, effectively cutting off entire neighbourhoods. Among the worst affected areas were Shah Khalid Colony, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Airport Housing Society, Mangtal Town, and Faisal Colony, where residents said they were left stranded without any prior notice.
Traffic diversions and container blockades triggered severe congestion across major arteries, including Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Marrir Chowk, Saddar, and Fawwara Chowk. Commuters faced long delays, while access to cantonment and adjoining city areas became increasingly difficult.
Public transport was also significantly affected. Passengers using electric green buses were dropped at Tipu Road instead of Old Airport and Koral Chowk, forcing hundreds including women and children to walk long distances to reach their destinations.
The Metro Bus service was restricted from Saddar to the PIMS, while the electric bus route from Raja Bazaar to Old Airport was suspended for three days -- Thursday to Saturday.
