Metro bus service resumed in Rawalpindi, Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metro Bus Service has resumed after a short suspension caused by a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) protest against rising electricity rates.

Metro bus officials confirmed that the service is fully operational from Rawalpindi Saddar to Islamabad Secretariat, with all stations open.

To support the resumption of services, containers have been removed from Chandni Chowk and most obstacles on Murree Road have been cleared.

The Metro Bus Service was briefly halted, and the capital’s red zone was sealed with containers in anticipation of protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). These opposition parties aimed their protests at increased power tariffs, inflated electricity bills, and the release of PTI leader Imran Khan.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced a sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) organized nationwide demonstrations against rising inflation.

In response to these protests, authorities closed routes leading to the federal capital and stationed heavy police contingents at all entry and exit points of the city.

Additionally, the police blocked the Faizabad interchange, which connects Rawalpindi to Islamabad, with heavy barriers.

Containers were also placed on the link road from Lahore and Peshawar to the motorway by Islamabad police, leading to long traffic queues.