The twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad are now fully open again after being partially closed for 12 days because of strict security measures during efforts to support Iran-US peace talks in Islamabad. Life can now go back to normal.

Public transportation is back up and running, markets are open again, and business is picking up quickly, especially in the wholesale sector.

People who live near Noor Khan Airbase, like those on Khanna Road, Shakrial, the Islamabad Expressway, Shah Khalid Colony, and Shah Faisal Colony, are once again able to open their windows, use their rooftops, and go about their daily lives.

Hotels, restaurants, wedding halls, and tents are all open for business again. People are starting to make reservations for weddings and other family events again. Residents can now travel within the cities and to other parts of the country now that transport terminals are open again.

For the first time in almost two weeks, electronic markets, jewellery stores, and workshops along Murree Road and Rawal Road opened on Sunday. Daily wage workers also went back to work, which was a big help after a few days of money problems.
The return of goods transport has also made supply chains better. Pulses, sugar, and other important things are once again being delivered from Faisalabad and Sargodha to wholesale markets.

A lot of people rode the Metro Bus on its first day back, too. After ending online classes, colleges and universities opened up again. People who lost their jobs during the shutdown, like drivers, conductors, hostesses, and laborers, are now being asked to come back to work.

Many traders, transporters, and local residents were happy that it reopened, but many also criticized the government for keeping it closed for so long.

Business leaders Hammad Qureshi and Sheikh Waheed said that shopkeepers were losing a lot of money and that the government was not helping them financially.

Sharif Qureshi said the shutdown wasn't needed, and Kamil Shah asked why schools and colleges were closed when some schools and colleges in countries affected by war were still open.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)