RAWALPINDI, Jan 14: Life in the garrison city came to a halt, on Monday, after the administration sealed off Rawalpindi in the wake of Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march.

The worst affected areas in the city were around Benazir Bhutto Road, Marrir Chowk to Faizabad. All the main markets, city centres, bazaars and shops in the area remained closed. Shopkeepers were seen standing outside their shops sitting idle, drinking tea, smoking cigarettes, reading newspapers and playing ludo.

Much ado about nothing atmosphere prevailed around the commercial centres at Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Namak Mandi, Kashmiri Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Jinnah Road, Liaquat Road, Bara Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Sarafa Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Bank Road, Haider Road, Commercial Market, even though the shops were open but customer traffic was thin.

Shopkeepers took precautionary measures, even though there were no directives from the administration to close shops.

“The main shops, banks and plazas along Benazir Bhutto Road were closed for the protection of shops and businesses. Traders after experiencing looting of shops and banks on September 21, 2012 during the anti-Islam film protests are being cautious this time around,” said Malik Imran, a trader at Benazir Bhutto Road, while talking to Dawn.

Nawazish Khan, a trader, said that the police and administration informed the traders and business community that they had to make arrangements for the safety of their outlets and only suggested that it would be better to close the shops.

However, Rawal Town Administrator Saif Anwar Jappa told Dawn that the administration did not force any trader to close shops. He said that traders closed shops on their own accord.

He said that police protection had been provided to jewellery stores, electronic shops and main city centres but even then traders avoided opening shops, fearing a September 21 repeat.

All petrol pumps and CNG stations on the main city roads remained closed, forcing commuters to stay home and preserve fuel, in case of emergency. Absenteeism remained high in government and private offices.

Prices of daily food items surged in the local markets because of blockade of roads, suspending supply of food items, including fruits, vegetables, milk and meat.

“Wheat flour is available at Rs800 per 20-kg bag and vegetable prices have increased,” said Shahid Qamar, a regular shopper at Commercial Market.