Residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi faced hours of confusion, panic, and frustration after authorities abruptly shut down key transport hubs on Thursday evening, only to reverse the decision the following day after public backlash.
According to details, the Islamabad administration had ordered closure of major bus terminals, including Faizabad, 26 Number and Pir Wadhai, halting public transport entering the federal capital.
The move was reportedly taken as a precautionary measure ahead of a high-profile visit by United States officials for the second round of talks with Iran expected over the weekend.
The sudden restrictions left commuters stranded and triggered widespread anger, as people struggled to find alternative means of travel. Many criticized the authorities for acting prematurely, especially when no official details of the visit had been publicly shared.
As reports and videos of the disruption spread rapidly on social media, criticism mounted against the district administration and police for what many termed as an “overreaction” and lack of coordination.
Responding to the growing outrage, the district administration on Friday withdrew the orders. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon issued a clarification via social media, stating that no closure of bus stations or wagon stands was in place and that the public was free to travel without restrictions.
Despite the reversal, residents remained critical of the authorities’ approach, questioning the decision-making process behind such abrupt measures.
“We were left stuck for hours with no buses and no clear information,” said a commuter at Faizabad. “If there was a security concern, the administration should have informed the public properly instead of creating chaos.”
Another resident from Rawalpindi expressed frustration over the handling of the situation. “This is not how you manage a city. They can’t just shut everything down without thinking about daily wage workers and students,” he said.
“First they create panic, then they deny everything. This kind of governance only adds to people’s stress,” said a commuter in Islamabad. “There should be accountability for such irresponsible decisions.”
Citizens across both cities emphasized that while security is important, it should not come at the cost of public convenience and transparency. The episode has once again highlighted the need for better planning, communication, and coordination by authorities when dealing with sensitive situations.
