ISLAMABAD: Extraordinary security measures swept across the capital and Rawalpindi on Sunday, disrupting daily life as authorities prepared for a possible second round of Iran–US negotiations.
اسلام آباد ایکسپریس وے پر سیکیورٹی کے غیر معمولی اقدامات ، پولیس رینجرز اور فوج کے دستے تعینات
سروس روڈ پر قائم دکانیں اور پٹرول پمپس بھی بند ہیں pic.twitter.com/BjfRYhHdGY— Yousaf Saeed (@YousafSaeedPTI) April 19, 2026
Reports gathered by MM News from Islamabad/Rawalpindi based reporters, media outlets as well as local sources revealed that Metro bus services were suspended across the twin cities, with routes from I‑9 to Pak Secretariat completely shut until further orders.
ضلعی انتظامیہ اسلام آباد/اہم اعلان
وفاقی دارالحکومت میں پبلک اور ہیوی ٹرانسپورٹ کے حوالے سے ضلعی انتظامیہ کا اہم اعلان، شہر میں ہیوی ٹرانسپورٹ اور پبلک ٹرانسپورٹ کو تاحکم ثانی معطل کیا جا رہا ہے، شہریوں سے التماس ہے کہ سیکورٹی اداروں کے ساتھ تعاون کریں, شکریہ
— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) April 19, 2026
🚨 ترکش ٹی وی کے مطابق صبح سویرے امریکی فوج کے 3 طیارے امریکی ٹیکنیکل ٹیم کے ہمراہ نور خان ائیر بیس پر پہنچ چکے ہیں، ۔ سرینا ہوٹل کے کمرے خالی کروائے جا رہے ہیں
ذرائع کے مطابق ایرانی اور امریکی وفود کا منگل یا بدھ کو آنے کا امکان ہے۔— Shehzad nawaz (@sknawaz478) April 19, 2026
The Islamabad District Administration announced a blanket suspension of public and heavy transport, urging citizens to cooperate with security agencies.
8::45 am
12:15 pm
Big landings— Nausheen Yusuf (@nausheenyusuf) April 19, 2026
Meanwhile, two US military C‑17 Globemaster aircraft reportedly landed at Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, heightening speculation after Al Jazeera reported that talks between Washington and Tehran could take place before Friday. In tandem, the Serena and Marriott hotels were cleared of guests, with new bookings banned until the end of the week.
Breaking news!
A US military cargo aircraft landed Nur khan Airbase today early morning and departure again around 11:45 AM
2nd round will be held soon
Tuesday or Wednesday pic.twitter.com/gH0UZ9DjHZ— Azmat MaliC (@TheAzmatMalik) April 19, 2026
The sweeping measures, however, exposed flaws in Rawalpindi’s transport strategy. Despite the General Bus Stand being designated as the departure terminal, buses were found parked along IGP Road near Mandi Mor, boarding passengers without security arrangements — a practice officials warned could trigger accidents amid the heightened alert.
#IranUS talks: Although no official word about the possible Iran-U.S. talks, #Islamabad’s two main hotels have started evacuating guests. #Marriott Hotel’s notice is posted here while the #Serena hotel issued the following to those who have offices in Serena.
“Good morning dear… pic.twitter.com/uNdepTB6M1
— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) April 19, 2026
Together, the closures, clearances, and airbase activity painted a picture of a capital city bracing for sensitive diplomatic engagement, even as ordinary commuters and residents bore the brunt of the disruption.
