ISLAMABAD: Residents of the federal capital were once again stuck in a labyrinth as most of the roads leading to the Red Zone were blocked.

Although the locals claimed that it was the government’s tactic to hinder Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) supporters from reaching the party’s ongoing sit-in on Constitution Avenue, the police said

measures had been taken following information about an explosive-laden vehicle sent by terrorists to attack the participants of the sit-in.

A PTI supporter, Shams Khan, said: “I go to the Red Zone everyday after sunset and come back in the early hours. I have noticed that the police have been closing all roads leading to the Red Zone for the last two days.”

“I am a resident of Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, but I cannot even go to I.J. Principal Road because a container has been placed there,” he said, speculating that the special measures were taken because more people are expected to show up at the sit-in during the weekend.

Mohammad Salman, a motorist, was stuck in the traffic at Gulshan Dadan Khan.

“The residents of the twin cities have been facing problems for the last 10 days. I do not understand why they have to block the main roads,” he said, before taking a U-turn to use an alternative route.

The police had blocked one lane of Murree Road at Faizabad, resulting in congestion at Divisional Public School Road as most of the traffic was diverted there.

An official of the traffic police confirmed that most of the roads leading to Red Zone were closed on Saturday.

“However, roads which lead away from the Red Zone are open. Margalla Avenue was closed to those who wish to reach Embassy Road from Golra. Ninth Avenue is blocked at I.J. Principal Road while Jinnah Avenue also remains blocked to people travelling from east to west. Islamabad Club Road has been blocked to traffic heading towards the Red Zone,” he said.

“Similarly, Kashmir Highway has been closed from Islamabad Chowk, while only traffic going out of the city is allowed to pass,” he added, saying that the only road which remained open on Saturday was the Expressway.

A policeman, who claimed that the roads had been blocked because of a security threat, said: “As soon as the traffic rush decreases, roads will be opened again. When there are fewer vehicles on the road, it is easier to scan them for any explosive material.”

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2014