ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Islamabad began lifting sweeping security restrictions on Saturday, reopening transport routes, parks and hiking trails after days of disruption linked to high-level diplomatic activity in the capital.
The easing of curbs followed the departure of Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and came after heightened security measures imposed in anticipation of talks involving US and Iranian officials.
The measures taken by the authorities involved road closures and a ban on heavy transport, causing widespread inconvenience for residents.
Commuters ride along a street near the Serena Hotel, that hosted the first round of US-Iran peace talks during the Middle East war, after authorities reopened the Red Zone area in Islamabad on April 26, 2026, following eased security measures and restrictions. (AFP)
“Permission has been granted for all types of public and goods transport to enter the city,” Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said in a social media post. “All bus terminals across the city have been reopened except for Faizabad, which will remain closed until further notice.”
In a separate post, he said hiking trails in the Margalla Hills and parks including Daman-e-Koh and Lake View Park would reopen to the public from Sunday.
Residents and businesses reported shortages of perishable goods and disruptions to daily routines during the curbs, prompting authorities to set up a control room to handle public complaints.
The partial reopening signals a return to normalcy in the capital, though some restrictions in and around Islamabad’s high-security Red Zone, which accommodates key government installations and diplomatic facilities, may remain in place until further notice.
