Twin cities reel under disruptions

Due to a march organised by a religious group, sections of Murree Road at Shamsabad and the Faizabad junction in Rawalpindi remained closed for a fourth consecutive day on Monday, as security barriers were erected to ensure law and order. The Metro Bus Service connecting the twin cities also remained suspended.

Traffic between Rawalpindi and Islamabad was diverted via the Double Road and the IJP route, which stayed open to commuters. A number of universities announced sudden half-days, disrupting academic schedules.

Although authorities dispersed the group's sit-in in Muridke near Lahore through an operation, normalcy has yet to return to the twin cities. Police in Rawalpindi remained on high alert, stationed at key intersections and sensitive locations amid fears of potential unrest.

Both Shamsabad and the Faizabad junction, which connect Rawalpindi to Islamabad, remained sealed with containers and barricades for the fourth consecutive day. However, within the city, traffic flow and commercial activity - particularly around Cantt, Marrir Chowk, Shamsabad, and adjoining roads - continued largely as normal.

The Double Road route remained open for single-lane traffic entering and leaving Islamabad via the IJP Road, while a single loop under the Faizabad Flyover on the Expressway also remained functional, though long queues of vehicles were reported.

The Metro Bus Service, which has been suspended since the evening of October 9 owing to the anticipated protest march, remained out of operation on Monday, causing severe inconvenience to commuters, particularly office workers and students travelling to schools and colleges.

Students who had reached their universities for morning classes were informed around midday that all sessions, including evening classes, had been cancelled. Those dependent on private transport or parental pick-and-drop arrangements faced significant difficulty returning home.

A university student, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "We had just started our lectures when we were suddenly told the university was closing. With no transport available, it became quite stressful trying to figure out how to get home."

Another student added that she had to book a ride-hailing service following the abrupt announcement: "Normally the fare is around Rs500, but today the driver charged more than double."

A parent, who had rushed from a private housing society near Faizabad to collect his daughter, remarked: "If the situation was unstable, the authorities should not have called students in at all. Summoning them and then suddenly suspending classes is unreasonable - especially for parents who personally drop off and pick up their children."

To maintain order, Rawalpindi Police remained on high alert throughout Monday. Under the supervision of City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani, police conducted a flag march to demonstrate readiness and reinforce public confidence.

Police march to maintain peace

The march commenced from Police Headquarters, passing through Kachehri Chowk, Marrir Chowk, Shamsabad, Mall Road, Qasim Market, Pirwadhai Mor, Taxila, and other areas before concluding at Police Lines. It was attended by senior officers, including the SSP Investigation, Chief Traffic Officer, Divisional SPs, SDPOs, and SHOs.

Speaking on the occasion, CPO Hamdani said that the purpose of the flag march was to reaffirm the police's resolve to uphold peace and stability. He noted that Section 144 was in force across Rawalpindi, prohibiting any unlawful assembly.

"Thanks to the police's effective security measures, the city has remained peaceful," he stated. "Anyone involved in lawbreaking or disruptive activity will be dealt with firmly. Citizens are urged to avoid taking part in illegal or violent gatherings. The protection of life and property remains our top priority and will be ensured at all costs."

Meanwhile, reports from Taxila and Gujar Khan indicated that supporters of the religious group made attempts to block roads but dispersed upon the arrival of police. According to police sources, several protesters were taken into custody.