RAWALPINDI: PML-N workers and supporters who accompanied retired Capt Mohammad Safdar to his surrender blocked Murree Road on Sunday, inconveniencing commuters.

Typically a calm day for motorists, the PML-N rally this Sunday led to stalled traffic and even reports of scuffles between motorists. The metro bus service, however, continued running. Imran Ahmed said he had to travel to Islamabad via I.J. Principal Road because Murree Road was closed, and saw traffic at many points.

Satellite Town resident Tasawar Hussain told Dawn traffic jams had become routine for people because of the rallies. “Election candidates should not create a mess for the general public,” he added.

Another motorist, Ali Raza, said the traffic police had failed to devise an alternate route for people in downtown areas. He said he had planned to go to the city for his weekly shopping, but the rally was hassle.

He too said severe traffic jams had become routine, but the PML-N rally had exacerbated the problem. Although the metro bus service had been launched, traffic was becoming aggravating day by day, he said.

The majority of road users in the twin cities use Murree Road to move within the city and to access Islamabad, and the traffic mess hindered their travel, said commuter Safdar Raja.

Mohammad Naseem, a resident of Arya Mohallah, said he had been ill with a fever and had to visit a hospital, which took him two hours because of the rally.

Although political workers and supporters were seen on the main Murree Road and Raja Bazaar, calm prevailed in the cantonment areas and life in Saddar and other parts of the city continued as normal.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2018