Islamabad lifts transport curbs, eases business hours in latest administrative shift

Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner’s office has officially revoked restrictions on public and goods transport, allowing full movement across the federal capital. The move comes alongside a revision of business operating hours, signaling a return to near-normal commercial activity after weeks of strict movement controls. Traders and transport unions, who had been pushing for these concessions since the implementation of security-related lockdowns, welcomed the decision late Tuesday. The administration’s notification confirms that inter-city and intra-city transport services can now resume operations without the previous permit requirements. For the capital’s business community, the shift brings much-needed relief. Markets that were shuttered by early evening are now permitted to remain open until 9:00 p.m., while restaurants have been granted an extension until midnight. The administration underscored that these timings are subject to strict compliance with safety guidelines, warning that any violation could lead to immediate closure. The previous restrictions had paralyzed the supply chain, leaving grocery shelves thin and causing significant spikes in local commodity prices. With trucks now cleared to enter the city, the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry expects supply lines to stabilize within the next 48 hours. Local police and traffic authorities have been directed to remove barricades at entry points, though a “heightened vigilance” protocol remains in place. Officials said the decision to ease curbs followed a review of the security landscape, which they described as “sufficiently improved.” Despite the easing of rules, the administration is keeping a close watch. The deputy commissioner’s office clarified that the revised timings are not permanent and will be subject to ongoing security assessments. For the average commuter, the return of public transport—including local vans and ride-hailing services—means the end of a weeks-long struggle to navigate the city. Whether the city’s fragile calm holds under these relaxed rules remains the primary concern for the authorities as they monitor the impact of the reopening.