RAWALPINDI: The garrison city was virtually cut off from the rest of the country on Wednesday as the PML-N-led Punjab government had closed all roads connecting it with the neighbouring cities and towns.

The step was taken to prevent arrival of more PTI and PAT supporters.

Even the contractors of Metro Bus Project could not continue their construction work as they ran out of stock. They informed the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) about the situation and sought their help to transport the construction material.

The National Logistic Cell (NLC) managed to store cement and other construction material before the closure of roads on Tuesday.

The NLC is working on some sections of the Metro Bus Project, stretching from Committee Chowk to 6th Road.

“Work will remain suspended till the sit-ins in front of the Parliament House end. Roads have been closed to avoid any untoward situation in the garrison city,” said Commissioner and Project Director Zahid Saeed while talking to Dawn.

Replying to a question, Mr Saeed said the NLC had managed to transport cement from the factory to the construction site two days ago.

He said that the NLC however said that the material would meet the construction requirement for the next two days only.

On the other hand, the residents of the garrison city continued to face problems while commuting to their offices located in Islamabad due to the closure of roads.

Some people managed to use slip streets of Dhoke Hassu to enter Islamabad via I.J. Principal Road.

Under the prevailing situation, there was fear of shortage of food and other items in the city, as heavy vehicles were not being allowed entry even during the day.

However, a senior official of the City Traffic Police told Dawn that the police were allowing trucks to enter the city late in the night.

“The basic aim of closing the roads is to prevent the PTI and PAT workers from joining the sit-ins in front of the Parliament House. At some places, such as Faizabad, there is single lane open to check the protesters entering Islamabad,” he said.

The official said the police of the twin cities had jointly managed traffic at the entry points of the federal capital.

He said that for the last one day, not a single vehicle displaying PTI or PAT flags had entered Islamabad.

Ammar Rasheed, a resident of Westridge, said he tried to go to Blue Area via I-9 but Chakmadad Khan Bridge and Peshawar Road were closed to traffic.

Saleem Mughal, a resident of Peshawar Road, said people were fed up with the Dharna because it was disturbing the routine life of the citizens.

He demanded the government to designate stadiums or grounds for such gatherings.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2014