RAWALPINDI: The Real Estate Association on Thursday took out a rally against the levy of taxes on the sale and purchase of properties, triggering traffic gridlocks in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Led by association president Chaudhry Farukh Amir, the rally started from DHA and was scheduled to end at the National Press Club in Islamabad. However, the police and other law enforcement agencies stopped the rally first at Koral Chowk and then near Khanna bridge. As a result, the participants staged a sit-in at Shakrial on Islamabad Expressway, leading to the traffic mess on the busy artery and almost all other roads.

The traffic police in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were nowhere to be seen, leaving tens of thousands of motorists stuck on different roads for hours.

The areas affected by the traffic gridlocks included Rawat, DHA, Bahria Town, Model Town Humak, Car Stop, Soan Bus Terminal, Ayub Park, Katcheri, Rashid Minhas Road, Katcheri, Morgah Mor, Murree Road, Mareer, Saddar, Kashmir Road, Peshawar Road, I.J. Principal Road, Islamabad Expressway, Koral, Khanna Bridge, Iqbal Town, Dhoke Kala Khan and Faizabad.

Israr Raja, a motorist, said he remained stuck in the traffic jam for an hour. He said the government should pay heeds towards the problems of road users.

Chaudhry Farukh Amir, the president of the association, said they were holding a peaceful rally against the government’s decision to impose new taxes on the sale and purchase of properties. He said they planned to go to the National Press Club and hold a press conference but the police did not allow them to enter the federal capital.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.