No main roads in Rawalpindi have been completely closed, although the police presence remains strong and checks continue.
A Pakistani police officer diverts bikers from a road leading to the Serena Hotel, as Pakistan prepares to host the United States and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad on April 22, 2026. Photo: Reuters
ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:
Security eased Wednesday in parts of the Twin Cities as authorities opened some roads; however, the capital’s red zone remained closed due to the uncertain arrival of the American and Iranian delegations.
Earlier in the week, district administrations sealed the entrance to the red zone, ordering all public and private offices and schools in the zone to shift to online operations, while government work in the capital was shifted remotely. Heavy and public transport across the capital has also been suspended.
The red zone remained closed today for the third consecutive day, with employees in government and private offices asked to work from home.
According to Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, all entry points to the red zone have been closed with police and other law enforcement agencies maintaining strict checkpoints. The Srinagar Highway towards Serena was closed from Zero Point, while Kashmir Chowk was also closed for general traffic.
Learn more: Offices, schools go online as Islamabad’s red zone closed ahead of US-Iran talks
He added that Faizabad and Karachi bus terminals remained closed and metro bus service across the city continued to be suspended. “The city’s bus stations and intercity transportation terminals also remained closed; however, the bus terminal located at 26, Chungi number has been reopened to the public.”
In the blue zone of Islamabad, the commercial market remained closed. Jinnah Avenue from Khayaban-e-Suharwardy (Khyber Plaza) to Parliament House was also closed to traffic, while the metro bus service remained suspended.
However, other markets in the city remained open and operating normally. Educational institutions in the capital also operated without interruption.
In Rawalpindi, security remained on high alert, particularly around the old Benazir Bhutto International Airport and along the service roads of the Islamabad Expressway, where nearby shopping malls and wedding halls remained closed.
According to the traffic police, markets, hostels and hotels in the Faizabad area along Murree Road also remained closed, with heavy police presence continuing. However, other markets in the city and cantonment areas were functioning with routine trade activity.
No main roads in Rawalpindi were completely closed, although the police presence remained strong and checks continued. Traffic, including light transportation vehicles and passenger cars, was moving on Grand Trunk Road and other major roads.
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Pakistan took center stage when it brokered a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, followed by high-stakes talks in Islamabad attended by high-level delegations from both countries earlier this month. Although the talks did not yield the expected results, the ceasefire remained intact and confidence-building measures were taken to ensure a permanent truce.
Last night, US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ongoing ceasefire with Iran at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Field Marshal Asim Munir. In an article on Truth Social, Trump said the truce, which was set to expire in a few hours, would remain in effect until Iran submits a comprehensive plan and negotiations reach a final outcome.
The two sides were due to meet in the capital for the second and final round of negotiations, but no date has been confirmed.
