By Zubair
Lahore
The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) and the twin cities' district administrations have officially notified a structured schedule of operational suspensions and localized station closures for the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metrobus service. The transit regulations have been enacted to accommodate high-level security protocols for the upcoming Pakistan versus Sri Lanka international cricket series, taking place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 9 to 13.
According to the official transit advisory, security arrangements encompass a broader regulatory window extending through mid-November to facilitate international athletic delegations, match officials, and logistical convoys. However, full transit shutdowns will not occur continuously, with suspensions strictly limited to specified match days and team movement hours.
Transit Closures and Movement Windows Explained
Under the security protocol formulated by the Rawalpindi City Traffic Police and Islamabad Police, full Metrobus service operating between Saddar Station in Rawalpindi and the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad will be temporarily halted during dedicated team movement windows. These pauses are synchronized with athlete departures from team hotels to the stadium for scheduled training sessions and evening match fixtures.
Furthermore, intermediate stations situated in proximity to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium corridor—including Sixth Road, Rehmanabad, Shamsabad, and Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (formerly IJP Road) stations—will remain non-operational during designated match day phases to manage pedestrian crowd density and prevent vehicular bottlenecks around Double Road.
Commuter Advisories and Traffic Alternates
The district administration has advised thousands of daily commuters, university students, and government employees who rely on the red bus transit system to plan their travel schedules in advance. The PMTA confirmed that the Metrobus feeder bus routes and Islamabad green/blue lines will maintain normal operations across peripheral sectors, subject to spot diversions during official convoy movements.
Traffic authorities in Rawalpindi have simultaneously designated dedicated spectator parking zones at Government Degree College Satellite Town and adjacent open grounds, serviced by dedicated shuttle arrangements. Normal commercial traffic along Murree Road and Islamabad Highway will remain regulated under dynamic diversion guidelines overseen by traffic wardens.
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