KOHAT, June 15: Restrictions imposed by the cantonment authorities on civilians in the wake of the Wana operation and terror attacks in Karachi have affected the routine life of a large number of people in the city.

The army authorities have put strict conditions for issuing passes to the vehicle-owners, creating difficulties for businessmen and the government employees who use the cantonment area as a short-cut to reach their offices and homes in time.

According to one condition, every vehicle passing through the cantonment should be registered in the name of the person driving the vehicle. People point out that a car could not be registered in the name of every member of a family.

They say that the military police should check a car only when they suspect it to be a stolen one or two search it for weapons and other illegal items. The rule that if a civilian wants to use the cantonment jurisdiction he should have a valid reason for that, like having his office or shop located in the area, is going to help little in checking terrorist attacks, according to some people.

They say that a large number of civilians also visit shops and bakeries located in the cantonment areas and run by the army. A marriage hall and a restaurant is also located in the Kohat cantonment area.

Some time back the imposition of a fee on the use of the cantonment cricket ground and charging vehicles passing through the cantonment had created a fuss and ill-feelings among the civilian population. At that time private car owners had agreed to pay Rs40 a year for using the cantonment roads, but they are irritated when subject to queries and verifications to be done under new rules.

Civilians have also demanded a reduction in the Rs8,000 non-refundable fee to Rs2,000 for the use of the army fitness club situated within the limits of the cantonment. The golf course, which has now been converted into the fitness club, was earlier open to civilians.

Besides, the residents of the KDA township have demanded that the MP gate should remain open 24 hours because it is the only way through which they are connected to the city. At present, the gate is closed at 10pm for civilians. Many people have proposed that the army should devise a plan to shift the cantonment outside the city in the interest of the security.