Islamabad’s Red Zone remained sealed to the general public on Wednesday, but other routes in the twin cities, sealed earlier for the security of foreign delegations visiting the capital, were opened to the public, easing some hardship faced by the residents.
US Vice President JD Vance and his team had been expected to arrive , but the White House abruptly changed plans, with Iran’s negotiating delegation also delaying a decision on attending talks.
Major roads have been closed in recent days to facilitate the arrival of foreign delegations and advance teams.
Markets were quiet, government officials worked from home, children attended classes online and security forces enforced strict curbs on entering the vast Red Zone.
The security in the Red Zone, where government buildings and offices are located, remained high. There was a heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel and the army was patrolling the area.
Public entry to the Red Zone has remained sealed since Sunday, with access restricted to critical officials and some staff sticking to previous orders to work from home.
However, police deployment plans made earlier in anticipation of the foreign delegations’ arrival were not implemented, as official confirmation of the talks was still awaited.
According to a correspondent in Islamabad, the situation in most of the other areas of the capital was “normal”.
Out of the four bus terminals situated across the capital, only Chungi No. 26 was opened.
In Rawalpindi, bus stand services on Peshawar Road were also restored a day earlier. On the other hand, Pirwadhai and Faizabad bus stands remained closed, and goods transport has not resumed yet.
However, a correspondent in Rawalpindi said no shortage of green groceries, dairy, and meat and poultry products had been witnessed as of Tuesday.
A correspondent in Islamabad said there had been no transportation of goods to and from the twin cities.
