Business activity in Rawalpindi remained disturbed on Monday as many markets and shops were once again asked to close due to renewed security directions and lack of clear guidance from authorities, according to local reports.
Commercial activity had briefly returned to normal on Sunday after markets and business centres reopened following diplomatic developments related to the Iran and United States ceasefire. However, reports on Monday showed that shops in several areas were again told to shut down because of fresh security orders and uneven implementation by officials.
In many localities, shopkeepers who had reopened their businesses were instructed to close once more, increasing frustration among traders who had already suffered losses due to repeated shutdowns.
According to reports, markets in Satellite Town, Commercial Market, Murree Road, Saidpur Road, and Katarian Market were directed to close. Several residents of Rawalpindi also expressed concern on social media about the sudden closure of shops and petrol pumps in some areas without prior notice.
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Earlier, authorities had enforced large-scale closures across Rawalpindi as part of strict security measures linked to regional diplomatic developments. Although some relief was observed over the weekend, Monday’s situation showed that restrictions were still being applied unevenly in different business areas.
Even after the United States delegation left Islamabad on Sunday morning and the Iranian negotiating team departed later in the evening, bazaars and shops around Nur Khan Airbase, Peshawar Road, Saddar, and Raja Bazaar remained closed until night. This situation was largely due to poor coordination between the district administration and the police.
Residents living near Nur Khan Airbase stayed indoors throughout the day, while traders in other areas waited outside their shops, hoping for clear instructions that would allow them to reopen.
Earlier in the day, district administration officials had allowed shopkeepers in Saddar and Raja Bazaar to reopen their businesses, but within thirty minutes, police arrived and instructed them to close again.
At the same time, capital police issued a traffic advisory announcing the full closure of the Red Zone and surrounding areas in Islamabad, allowing entry only to official vehicles on Monday.