ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad administration has closed a portion of Aabpara-Melody Road, causing difficulties for commuters, a month after the artery was opened to traffic on the directives of the Islamabad High Court.

A portion of the road remained closed for years due to security issues pertaining to Lal Masjid and relevant administration issues; however, it was reopened last month on the orders of the high court.

But, the administration has blocked the road from Melody Chowk to near Sunday Bazaar once again and the traffic has been diverted to the other side of the road, turning the route into a two-way traffic zone. This has resulted in traffic congestion, mainly during school and office hours.

“Is blocking the road a solution to any problem,” questioned a citizen as he criticised the administration for its myopic measures.

Citizens question competence of city administration, say two-way traffic has increased congestion

“If there are security issues, the administration and police should provide the required security and improve intelligence, but closing down the road is not a solution, rather it reflects poorly on the decision-making process,” said Nazar Ahmed, a resident of G-6.

He termed it an “unwise decision” of the administration and said the road had remained blocked for years till the high court asked the administration to remove the blockades. “But they have closed down the road once again,” he said.

Another citizen, Umair Alim, said now traffic on both sides – to and from Aabpara – has been plying on just one side of the road, making the two-way situation risky for driving. He said sometimes vehicles from adjacent streets appear on the road and then take a sharp turn towards the other side of the road, towards Aabpara, causing a risk of accidents.

“The city managers are not able to resolve the so-called security issues without closing down the road,” he said, questioning their competence.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz could not be approached for comments. However, an officer of the administration said recently students of Jamia Hafsa - a seminary adjacent to Lal Masjid which was demolished and shifted to G-7 after the Lal Masjid operation - tried to start the reconstruction of the seminary in its old spot.

The officer said the administration managed to stop them and to avert any law and order situation, subsequently closed the road. He quickly added that the closure of the road was a temporary arrangement and it would be reopened soon.

A senior officer of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) told Dawn that the road was blocked to avoid a law and order situation. When asked about the IHC’s order of last month, he responded: “Let me talk to you after checking the current situation.”

The official later got back to Dawn and claimed that the road would be open to traffic by Sunday night. However, the artery had remained closed when this report went to press.

Last month, IHC while deciding a petition filed by concerned citizens had ordered the opening of the road. Justice Mohsin Kayani had directed that issues should be resolved through dialogue and not by blocking main roads. He had further said that instead of making the lives of common citizens difficult by closing the main roads, the administration should resolve such issues through dialogue.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2022