PESHAWAR, Nov 19 Suspension of vehicular traffic on Khyber Road after the suicide bomb blast at the Judicial Complex led to huge congestion on other roads in the city on Thursday.

Khyber Road was blocked at different points, mainly at Suripul intersection and Gora Qabristan area, stopping entry of all kinds of private vehicles, including motorcycles.

Police and security personnel remained alert at entry points of Shami Road and other roads linking the cantonment area with Khyber Road and those intending to visit the blast site and the secretariat were not allowed.

Women and children who wanted to look for their beloved ones were pushed back. Media persons also faced problems in reaching the blast site. Offices in the secretariat were closed after the explosion.

People faced difficulties to reach their destinations and they had to travel a great distance on foot. People were not allowed to move towards the NWFP Assembly building and had to go towards Gora Qabristan side for catching buses.

Public transport coming from Hayatabad side was diverted to Ring Road and the vehicles that had reached Tehkal area were diverted towards Qayum Stadium Road.

Court Road was also closed near the central prison, diverting the traffic towards Khyber Bazaar.

In the evening, a bomb hoax near the PIA office on Arbab Road in Saddar further added to the problems as police closed the road for traffic for over one hour. Pedestrians were also not allowed in the area. Someone had informed police that an abandoned car contained explosives. However, the road was opened after officials of the Bomb Disposal Unit cleared that there was no explosive in the car.

Traffic moved at snail's pace even on Sher Shah Suri Road, near Governor's House and at Suekarno Chowk. Link roads like Shuba, Shah Qabul and Kohat Road also remained blocked.

The parents were the worst affected as they were worried about their children studying in different schools and colleges situated on Warsak Road, University Road and other areas. They could not communicate with their children as mobile phone and landline networks remained busy and calls usually did not connect, especially in the localities near Saddar.

The parents demanded that the government should ensure their contact with their children in case of such mishaps in future.