Students walk home, supplies hit as security clampdown tightens grip in twin cities

RAWALPINDI: Extraordinary security measures ahead of high-stakes US-Iran talks in Islamabad turned large parts of Rawalpindi and the federal capital into a near lockdown, with residents confined to their homes and routine life severely disrupted.

The local administration, along with law enforcement agencies, sealed Old Airport Road and all routes leading to Nur Khan Airbase on Thursday 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 prior notice or time to make basic arrangements.

The closure of Old Airport Road from Rahimabad to Koral Chowk created widespread disruption, further aggravated by the sealing of the service road from Koral Chowk to Airport Chowk. As a result, residents remained largely confined indoors, describing the situation as a “prison-like” lockdown.

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 between Rawalpindi and Islamabad was restricted from Saddar to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), while the electric bus route from Raja Bazaar to Old Airport was suspended for three days, from Thursday to Saturday. Bus terminals were also temporarily closed, further compounding commuters’ difficulties.

Residents reported shortages of essential items, with many struggling to arrange water, food and medicines due to blocked access routes. Some said vendors refused to enter affected areas, while others charged higher rates to navigate through narrow streets.

Students appearing in matric examinations were among those hit hardest, with several forced to return home on foot after transport services were halted in the afternoon. Parents expressed concern over the lack of planning and communication.

Local traders also suffered losses after authorities directed shops in Saddar, Old Airport Road and surrounding areas to remain closed for two days. While major bazaars such as Raja Bazaar and Murree Road remained open, businesses in affected zones reported a sharp drop in activity.

Meanwhile, security across Rawalpindi district was placed on high alert under the supervision of Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani. More than 5,000 police personnel were deployed, with over 350 special pickets established at key locations and strict monitoring of all entry and exit points.

Elite Force, Dolphin Force, police station mobiles and other quick response units were mobilised for continuous patrolling. Search, sweep and intelligence-based operations were intensified, while heightened security was ensured at sensitive installations, government and private buildings, markets, hotels and residential areas.

A high-level meeting at Police Lines Headquarters directed officials to ensure foolproof security at all costs, with senior officers — including divisional SPs, SDPOs and traffic officials — personally supervising operations in the field.

Authorities said the measures were necessary in view of the movement of foreign delegations, with Safe City surveillance systems monitoring developments round the clock from control rooms.

However, residents criticised the scale and execution of the security plan, calling for better coordination, timely communication, and provision of alternative routes and emergency services, particularly for patients and those requiring urgent supplies.

Officials have said a special traffic plan will be introduced to ease movement, though for many residents, the disruption has already taken a heavy toll as entire localities remain cut off during the high-security operation.