RAWALPINDI: The residents of Rawalpindi faced another tough day when the entry points of the twin cities were blocked on Sunday.

The police have been using this deterring tactic since the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) launched their anti-government campaign over two weeks ago.

The latest move to block the entry points of the twin cities started after Saturday night when the protesters moved towards the PM House to stage a sit-in there.

The road leading towards Rawalpindi Katchery was blocked by heavy containers, however, the outgoing traffic was allowed through one lane which caused a long queue of vehicles on the road.

The entry points to the city through Dhoke Hassu, Chak Madad and Gulzar-i-Quaid were also closed. However, the traffic remained smooth in the city and cantonment areas.

Due to the blockade of the entry points, the commuters had to face hardships as some preferred to return while others took alternative routes to reach their destinations.

“Now we will have to pay double fare to reach Raja Bazaar because the wagon in which we were travelling was not allowed to cross the Soan Bridge,” said a commuter, Hassan, while talking to Dawn.

The police reinforcements called from Jhelum also had to take the Rawat–Soan route to reach Islamabad due to the blockade of Islamabad Expressway at Koral Chowk.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2014