Rawalpindi — Life began returning to normal in Rawalpindi on Monday as educational institutions reopened and key roads were cleared, four days after the city was paralyzed by protests led by a religious group.

According to Geo News, all major connecting routes between Islamabad and Rawalpindi that had been closed during the demonstrations have now been reopened. Traffic resumed smoothly on Murree Road and other main arteries after days of severe blockages and detours.

Shops and commercial centers along Murree Road also reopened, signaling a gradual restoration of daily activity. However, authorities confirmed that the route from Murree Road to Faizabad remains closed for security reasons, and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus service has not yet resumed.

During the four-day protest, several parts of the twin cities were effectively locked down. Roads linking the two cities — including key junctions such as IJP Road, Double Road, and Expressway — were barricaded, while mobile and data services were suspended in multiple sectors as a precautionary measure. The closures had caused widespread inconvenience to commuters, students, and traders.

Officials said that IJP Road, Double Road, and the Expressway have now been reopened to traffic, allowing vehicles to move freely between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The route from Double Road to Ninth Avenue has also been restored, easing congestion and helping normalize public transport operations.

In addition, mobile phone and internet data services have been fully restored across both cities. The restoration follows the conclusion of security operations and the dispersal of protesters, who had staged sit-ins and road blockades demanding the government meet their religious and political demands.

Educational institutions that had been closed since the start of the unrest reopened this morning, with students returning to classes after the extended disruption. School administrators reported lower attendance in some areas due to lingering transport difficulties, but expected full attendance to resume within a day or two.

The reopening of shops, schools, and key roads has brought relief to residents who had faced four days of restrictions, communication blackouts, and traffic chaos. Many citizens expressed frustration at the prolonged disruption, urging both the government and protest organizers to avoid such standoffs in the future.

Public transport operators, meanwhile, have resumed limited services in areas where roads are now open. However, the suspension of the Metro Bus between the twin cities continues to inconvenience thousands of commuters who rely on it daily. Authorities have said the service will be restored only after a full security review of the Faizabad corridor.

Law enforcement sources stated that security forces remain on high alert around sensitive locations, including the Faizabad interchange — the epicenter of the recent demonstrations. Police patrols have been intensified to prevent any renewed unrest.

The federal and provincial administrations are reportedly reviewing security arrangements and political negotiations with the protesting group to prevent a recurrence of the crisis, which disrupted transport, trade, education, and communication networks across the twin cities.

For now, normalcy is gradually returning to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Traffic flow has improved, communication services are functioning again, and schools have reopened. But the lingering closure of the Faizabad route and metro bus service serves as a reminder of the fragility of peace in the capital region — and the ease with which daily life can be disrupted by sudden unrest.