"It is like we're living in a cage," said Areej Akthar, a health officer at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, as tens of thousands in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi were cut off by strict security measures ahead of planned US–Iran talks. Streets, shops and public transport were largely shut, many hostels emptied and businesses closed amid power rationing, squeezing incomes and daily life while delegations delayed arriving.

Security measures empty the city

Islamabad's usually orderly avenues were nearly deserted as checkpoints and uniformed personnel became the most visible presence. Police and army officers lined roads and access points, and officials told office staff to work from home. Public transport was suspended and many shops kept their shutters down for days at a time.

The restrictions followed the choice of Islamabad as the venue for planned talks between US and Iranian delegations. Planners said the security posture was intended to prevent unrest and ensure safe movement for diplomats and officials. Repeated extensions of the lockdown, as the talks failed to materialise on schedule, have left residents and small businesses facing mounting disruption.

Immediate economic and social impact

  • Evictions: A government order forced many residents from hostel accommodation; Areej Akthar, a health officer at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, described a chaotic weekend when thousands were forced to leave their rooms.
  • Lost income: Daily-wage workers have been unable to work because construction sites and shops are shuttered; labourers report no work while restrictions remain.
  • Transport: Taxi drivers in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi said takings have fallen by roughly 50% as fewer passengers move around the city.
  • Supply and utilities: Restaurants have closed amid shortages of cooking gas and fuel linked to the regional conflict, and officials have imposed power cuts of up to seven hours during the day to manage limited fuel stocks.

How the wider conflict is affecting Pakistan

The security measures in Islamabad are unfolding against a broader energy shock. Since strikes began across the region in late February and Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation, supplies of oil and gas by sea have been disrupted. Pakistan has been among the countries most affected by the resulting energy squeeze, forcing authorities to ration power and fuel.

For a capital built as an administrative centre, the timing has compounded ordinary governance challenges. Islamabad sits on the Potwar Plateau and was planned and developed from the 1960s as the seat of Pakistan's national institutions. Its compact layout and concentration of government offices make any prolonged shutdown especially disruptive to civil servants, hospitals and courts.

City infrastructure and the logistics challenge

Islamabad International Airport, about 25 minutes from the city centre, continued operations but the city's hospitality and transport sectors saw steep declines in demand. Hotels and guesthouses that cater to officials and foreign visitors reported cancellations or reduced bookings.

Tourism-focused businesses — those relying on visits to sites such as Faisal Mosque and the Margalla Hills — face longer-term pressure if travel remains disrupted.

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Taxi drivers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi said takings have fallen by roughly 50%, while officials have imposed power cuts of up to seven hours during the day.

This article was created with AI assistance.