RAWALPINDI: Residents of the twin cities breathed a massive sigh of relief after the government announced it had reached an agreement with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah and that life in Rawalpindi and Islamabad would return to normal after more than 20 days.

Although protesters had not completely vacated the interchange when this report was filed, the Islamabad Expressway had been opened for traffic.

Traders and transporters in the garrison city had announced a strike on Monday to express solidarity with the religious parties’ protest, but soon after the agreement between government and protesters was made public, the call was withdrawn.

But despite this, attendance was thin in government and private offices across the city. Most people could not reach work on time since roads were still closed around 8am and only began reopening after 10am.

Traders, transporters call off strike after hearing news of agreement between govt, protesters

On the other hand, when the traders association withdrew its strike call around the same time, it called on members to open shops, markets and plazas immediately.

“We were monitoring the news about the meetings between the government and the protesters and after seeing a copy of the agreement, we decided to open the bazaars,” Rawalpindi Traders Association spokesperson Naveed Kanwal told Dawn.

“We give the strike call to ensure the safety of our business outlets in the city areas, since there were reports that protesters may damage shops if they remained open on Monday. We were expressing solidarity with the protesters out of fear of reprisals, otherwise, the closure of roads and markets causes financial losses,” he said.

Cantonment Traders Association President Zafar Qadri told Dawn: “We are relived that after 21 long days, the problem of closure of roads which had affected business activities in the area has been resolved,” he said.

Apart from Faizabad, protesters had also blocked the Soan Bridge over Jhelum Road, as well as Peshawar Road near Tarnol, for the past two days. However, these roads were also opened around 10am.

Twin Cities Transporters’ Association President Raja Riaz told Dawn that after the sit-in ended peacefully, there was no reason to proceed with the wheel-jam strike.

“There was lesser traffic on the city’s roads and there were fewer less commuters on public transport as well. However, the situation changed by the afternoon and the routine hustle and bustle of city life returned,” he said.

He said that owners of heavy vehicles were unhappy, since there were many trucks carrying goods worth millions trapped in the road closures on G.T. Road and Peshawar Road. “Some traders have complained that truck drivers left the goods vehicles unattended,” he said.

He claimed that even though the security of truck drivers was the responsibility of the government, no Punjab police personnel had been seen along main roads and bazaars over the past couple of weeks.

The reopening of major city roads such as I.J. Principal Road and Murree Road also eased the traffic congestion in other parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2017