ISLAMABAD: Normalcy returned to Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday following four days of protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at D-Chowk.
The city’s entry and exit points have reopened, and containers that had been blocking roads and bridges have been cleared.
Public transport is now operating on its usual routes; however, the Metro bus service in Islamabad remains suspended, while it has resumed in Rawalpindi. Government offices, private businesses, and schools have reopened, and traffic is flowing smoothly on major roads, including Jinnah Avenue, Expressway, Srinagar Highway, and Faizabad.
The police confirmed that key routes, including Rawat T Cross, Koral Chowk, Khanna Bridge, Faizabad, Murree Road, and the Express Highway, are open for traffic in both directions. Peshawar Morr, Golra Morr, and Chungi No 26 have also been cleared for vehicular movement. Murree Road has been reopened for traffic from near the traffic police office.
Additionally, the Motorway Link Road, Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed Road, and Iran Avenue are now accessible from both sides, while G-14 Srinagar Highway, 17 Mile Toll Plaza, and Bhara Kahu are fully operational. Traffic has also resumed on Kati Pahari GT Road, Zero Point, and Khayaban Chowk, ensuring all key transit points across Islamabad are functional.
Despite the return to normalcy, the Red Zone—comprising Serena Chowk, NADRA Chowk, and D-Chowk—remains closed, with government employees and citizens advised to use Margalla Road for transit. Residents have expressed that while protests are a right for all parties, efforts should be made to prevent chaos, as city closures do not effectively resolve issues.
In a statement, the senior superintendent of police (traffic) is personally overseeing the situation to ensure the uninterrupted flow of vehicles and has urged citizens to follow traffic guidelines for smooth access throughout the city.
