ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: Commuters and residents across the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi faced severe travel disruptions on Friday as law enforcement agencies sealed key routes, including the Faizabad Interchange, the main gateway connecting the two cities, in anticipation of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) planned march towards the US Embassy.
Hundreds of students were unable to reach schools, colleges, and universities as traffic came to a standstill on major arteries linking the twin cities. Long queues of vehicles were reported at alternate routes, including IJP Road, Islamabad Expressway, and Murree Road, where diversions caused hours-long gridlocks.
Though the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) issued a traffic diversion plan late Thursday night, commuters complained that the alternate routes were either too congested or completely blocked due to the heavy deployment of security personnel and containers placed at entry and exit points.
“I left home at 7:30am and it took me two and a half hours to reach G-8, which usually takes 20 minutes,” said a commuter from Rawalpindi. “The entire city is choked, the police should have planned this better.”
Faizabad: Once again at the center of disruption
The Faizabad Interchange, a key junction linking Rawalpindi and Islamabad has once again turned into a fortress of containers and barricades. The area has a history of massive traffic disruptions, especially during TLP sit-ins, the most notable being the 2017 protest that paralyzed the capital for days.
Authorities confirmed that Faizabad and nearby sectors have been sealed to prevent TLP workers from gathering. Containers have also been placed at Zero Point, Serena Chowk, and various routes leading to the Red Zone, where the US Embassy is located.
Police Clampdown and detentions
Officials said the security measures are part of a comprehensive plan to maintain law and order as the TLP announced its “Labbaik Al-Aqsa Million March” to express solidarity with the people of Gaza.
In the lead-up to the march, Islamabad and Rawalpindi police have detained hundreds of TLP workers and activists. By Thursday night, more than 280 TLP members were arrested from Islamabad and over 160 from Rawalpindi. No senior party leaders have been detained so far.
Over 7,000 security personnel, including police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary, have been deployed across Islamabad, while 6,500 personnel, including 1,150 traffic police and Riot Management Police, have been stationed in Rawalpindi. Armoured vehicles and anti-riot equipment have been moved to sensitive areas.
Metro, bus services suspended
Public transport services have also been severely affected. The Metro Bus and Electric Bus services operating on 21 routes between the two cities were suspended on Thursday evening and will remain closed until further notice.
The suspension has left thousands of daily commuters, particularly students and low-income workers, stranded. Some educational institutions also announced closures or early dismissals amid uncertainty over the security situation.
The Rawalpindi administration has imposed Section 144 till October 11, prohibiting public gatherings and processions. Major routes, including Committee Chowk, Chandni Chowk, Rehmanabad, and Khanna Bridge, have been sealed with containers and razor wire.
A senior police official said: “No one will be allowed to disrupt peace. Those violating the law will face strict action.”
Amidst the chaos, citizens are demanding that authorities balance security measures with public convenience. “Every time there’s a political rally, it’s the people who suffer,” a shopkeeper at Faizabad lamented. “The government should ensure safety but not at the cost of paralyzing the entire city.”
For now, the twin cities remain under a virtual lockdown — with containers, congestion, and uncertainty dominating the day for millions of residents.
