ISLAMABAD: The twin cities’ administrations have declared a local holiday in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Wednesday (today) on the eve of Independence Day, and closed several trails in the Margalla Hills and some parks for the public as part of security measures.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema issued a notification declaring a public holiday in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas.

However, the notification stated that all emergency and relief institutions and affiliated departments will remain open.

The federal capital administration also announced a holiday in the capital, except for essential services. It also closed Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5 and the trail behind Saidpur Village, along with Lake View Park, Daman-i-Koh, Pakistan Monument and Shakarparian.

A notification issued on Tuesday from the office of District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon stated, “It is notified that August 13, 2025 (Wednesday) is hereby declared as a local holiday within the revenue limits of Islamabad Capital Territory, except for the offices of essential services in Islamabad including MCI, CDA, ICT Administration, ICT Police, IESCO, SNGPL, and hospitals.”

Another notification from the same office stated that Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5, and the trail behind Saidpur Village shall remain closed to the public in the federal capital on Wednesday.

Similarly, another notification stated, “It is notified that Lake View Park, Daman-e-Koh, Pakistan Monument and Shakarparian shall remain closed to the general public in the federal capital on August 13, 2025 (Wednesday).”

The Independence Day celebrations will be held at the Sports Complex.

Police announced that Srinagar Highway will be closed to all public traffic from Serena Underpass to Zero Point. Zero Point, Serena Hotel and Khayaban-e-Suharwardy will be closed for inbound and outbound traffic. Garden Avenue will be closed to all traffic from 3:00 pm on August 13.

Entry of heavy traffic will be prohibited in Islamabad from 3pm on August 13 to 5pm on August 14.

As an alternative route, Zero Point to Jinnah Avenue, Embassy Road to Serena Chowk and Globe Chowk to Bhara Kahu via Murree Road will remain open.

The Islamabad Expressway can be accessed via Murree Road to Kashmir Chowk, while the Srinagar Highway will remain open from Ninth Avenue.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2025