Banks reopened in Islamabad after brief closure on Friday amid security threat

ISLAMABAD: Amid the security threat, the Islamabad authorities ordered the closure of all branches of private banks, located in the federal capital, after the Friday prayer on November 1 (today).

However, the banks later opened and remained operational as per normal routine under tight security.

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A policeman stationed at a private bank in Islamabad’s Abpara market also confirmed to the Daily Ausaf that all banks in the city will remain closed after 2 pm today, but the automated teller machines (ATM) will operate as per normal routine.

The decision came after Islamabad witnessed a series of daylight bank robberies, which also claimed one life. Additionally, 26 separate incidents of street crime and theft occurred in the capital city, with local police yet to apprehend any suspects.

In response to recent robberies, Islamabad police also heightened security outside 600 banks and financial institutions with the deployment of over 1,500 police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel across the city.

Banks have also been instructed to change their security guards, while police checkpoints have been established at various points throughout the federal capital.