PESHAWAR, Nov 15 Authorities have blocked another road for vehicular traffic in Peshawar Cantonment by erecting wall near Stadium Chowk after the recent bomb blasts in provincial metropolis.
The road, passing through military workshop and connecting Rafiqui Lane and the Mall, is one of the main thoroughfares used by people to reach Peshawar International Airport. Some of the other link roads, connecting the Mall and Bara Road, have already been closed.
During the past few months several roads in cantonment and airport areas have been barricaded and closed for general public. At different entry and exit points barriers have been set up where only the official vehicles, having displayed permitted stickers, are allowed to proceed. For common man these roads have become 'no-go areas'.
The road leading to the US Consulate, which provides a shortcut to pedestrians going to Khyber Road and University from the cantonment, is off limit for the commuters and general public. The road leading to the Governor's House and Chief Minister House from Sher Shah Suri Road has been fenced.
Other thoroughfares like Fort Road near the Governor's House, Kali Bari Road and FG School Road have permanently been closed for the public.
The Police Road, which passes in front of Peshawar Police Lines and NWFP Civil Secretariat, has been closed for taxicabs and rickshaws since long.
Following the growing security threats, a number of small pickets and barriers have been established in every nook and corner of the city and cantonment, especially on the Mall.
It has become a common practice that roads are immediately closed soon after any mishap in the district.
Peshawar Cantonment Chief Executive Officer Major (retired) Arshad, when approached, told Dawn that the board had no role in erecting walls. He said such steps were aimed at protecting lives of people and checking movement of the anti-state and anti-social elements in the cantonment areas.
