RAWALPINDI: Containers were placed on all entry and exit points of the city, metro bus service was suspended with the deployment of police on all roads and even rooftops of important buildings ahead of PTI’s scheduled public meeting and the expected protests by religious parties in the Red Zone of Islamabad.

However, the public gathering of the PTI was postponed on the directive of party founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail.

Due to the high security level, the residents remained confined to their residential areas. Less business activity was reported in the markets, especially Raja Bazaar, Murree Road and adjoining markets. Mostly people working in government and private organisations failed to reach their offices.

Though the district administration of Islamabad closed educational institutions, schools remained open in the garrison city. However, Shamsabad and Double Road were closed for cricket matches. The closure of roads and suspension of main public transport between Rawalpindi and Islamabad created problems for those going to their workplaces in the capital Islamabad from Rawalpindi.

For many years, the residents of the twin cities have been facing problems due to political and religious gatherings. Last month, roads remained closed for the protest sit-ins of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan and Jamaat-i-Islami.

On Thursday, all roads to Islamabad were closed, including Soan Bridge, Khana Bridge, Faizabad, Pirwadhai Mor, Golra Mor, Karnal Sher Khan Road, Murree Road, the old Airport Road and Jhelum Road. Metro Bus Service was also suspended between Rawalpindi and Islamabad on the directives of the district administration.

“I had to go to my office in Blue Area Islamabad at 8:30am but all the roads were closed. After wasting fuel while roaming on different roads, I came back at 10:30am,” said Mohammad Tariq, a resident of Allahabad.

Riaz Ahmed, a student of private college in Blue Area, said that he was supposed to reach the college at 8am but all the roads were closed and the metro bus service was suspended. He said that it has become routine to close roads and suspend metro bus service in the name of security.

Some people who worked in private and government organisations near Rawat also could not reach their offices on time. “I went to Soan Bridge but it was closed. I used the road from High Court to Bahria Town and reached my office late,” said Sheikh Sajid, a resident of Rahimabad.

On the other hand, Petroleum Dealers Association spokesman Noman Butt said filling stations also faced problems as their containers were not allowed to enter the city.

He said that there would be a shortage of fuel in case the roads were not opened by Thursday night. He said that supply was halted as containers were stopped at Rawat.

Rawalpindi Traders Association President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha criticised the government and the district administration for closing roads and said political gatherings and the cricket stadium should be shifted outside the city areas to ensure uninterrupted business activities.

“We have already been facing a financial crisis as we suffered a lot during the sit-ins of the JI and TLP last month. Now, the PTI’s plan to hold a public meeting created problems for us.” He said in the name of security, the district administration closed the roads for cricket matches and the business activities suffered.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2024