K-P transport links to twin cities halted

Public transport services linking Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been suspended with immediate effect. According to official directives issued through Deputy Commissioners, all public transport operators have been instructed to temporarily suspend their services to Islamabad and Rawalpindi until further orders. The move follows the closure of public transport terminals in Islamabad, after which services from other cities, including those originating from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, were also halted. The suspension has caused immense difficulties for passengers who rely on public transport for daily travel between Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. Many commuters reported being stranded at various bus terminals in Peshawar, with no alternative arrangements in place. As a result, several citizens have switched to private vehicles, leading to increased traffic and higher travel costs. Inter-city movement between Peshawar and the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad has come to a near standstill due to the partial shutdown of transport services. The suspension has also begun to affect the supply chain of essential commodities. Supplies of vegetables, fruits, and other perishable goods from Punjab to Peshawar have been disrupted.