Metrobus back on road after 5-day break

The Metrobus service operation halted in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in view of the D-Chowk protest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the federal capital was restored on Wednesday.

From November 28 to December 1, the Rawalpindi section of Metrobus from Saddar Station to Faizabad Station will be closed for track maintenance, while the operation will be normal on the Islamabad section from IJP Station to Pak Secretariat Station.

The Metrobus service operation was suspended from November 23, which remained suspended till Wednesday. After five days of shutdown, the Metrobus operation was resumed at 3pm after the situation returned to normal in Islamabad. Residents of the twin cities finally breathed a sigh of relief. From 125,000 to 135,000 passengers travel between the twin cities through the Metrobus service. The Metrobus Authority suspended the service to ensure the safety of passengers during the protest.

According to the authority, the service will be closed from November 28 to December 1 on the Rawalpindi section from Saddar station to Faizabad station for track repairs, however, the service will remain restored as usual from IJP to Pak Secretariat station in the federal capital Islamabad.

Schools reopen

As soon as roads opened following the five-day closure of the capital during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf's (PTI) protest, it was announced that schools will reopen from today (Thursday). Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema and Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority have announced the opening of all government and private schools and a notification has also been issued.

All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association President Abrar Ahmad Khan and All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association President Irfan Muzaffar Kayani have also announced the resumption of studies at all private schools.

The Rawalpindi Education Board has also issued a notification to continue with the practical exams that were scheduled for today. Offices of government schools already opened on Wednesday. Attendance of teachers and non-teaching staff is expected from today onwards.

'Back to business'

Citizens and shopkeepers have expressed relief at the reopening of roads and the resumption of daily life.

Many have urged authorities to prevent such prolonged disruptions in the future, ensuring smoother operations in both the public and private sectors during political unrest.

Despite the restoration of normalcy, some unrest looms.

Teachers protesting the privatisation of government schools have announced a resumption of their demonstrations, along with a call for an educational boycott.