RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: It has become a herculean task to travel in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, especially after the sit-in of JUI-F at H-9 and Kashmir Highway and the measures adopted by the government to prevent participants from moving towards the Red Zone.

Containers placed on roads have left little space for vehicles to cross the roundabouts of Serena Chowk, Radio Pakistan and Marriott Hotel to the Red Zone, leaving behind long queues of vehicles as only one vehicle ca cross at a time.

At Peshawar Mor, there is the same problem as the road has been closed in front of the service road where ambulances were also seen stuck during peak hours.

“I witnessed ambulances getting stuck twice on Tuesday morning due to traffic rush at Peshawar Mor,” said Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of G-9/3.

He said the road on the rear side of FIA head offices remained blocked in the morning and evening but the traffic police did not deploy any personnel there.

On the other hand, Rawalpindi witnessed traffic gridlocks on Tuesday. Traffic police failed to manage vehicular movement and passed the buck on to the blockades of roads in Islamabad.

A worst traffic jam was witnessed at Raja Bazaar, Ganjmandi and Banni Chowk. Motorcyclists were seen finding alternative ways from narrow streets to reach their destinations.

Metro Bus Service has been suspended since the start of the Azadi March and taxi and rickshaw drivers are cashing in on the situation. At some points, there were reports of scuffles among the commuters.

“The rush on Murree Road wasted my time and fuel,” said Maqbool Ahmed, a motorist.

Mohammad Usman, a resident of Fawara Chowk, said traffic jams had become a routine.

“The government and opposition should have pity on citizens as both have created mess for us whether they are in the government or in opposition,” he said.

Raja Imran said since JUI-F’s protest in the capital, traffic jams had become a routine.

“Majority of twin cities road users used Murree Road and Raja Bazaar and the traffic congestions are creating hardships for them,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2019