TAXILA: Commuters faced road closures for the second consecutive day as authorities blocked GT Road at several entry and exit points to stop workers and activists of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) from joining the protest in Islamabad on Monday.

The authorities placed containers at all the major roads leading towards the federal capital, especially GT Road, with deployment of anti-riot police.

Heavy contingents of police along with Rangers and other law enforcement agencies were deployed to maintain law and order.

The suspension of cellular phone and internet service added to the hardship of the people.

Public and private sector universities and colleges as well as defence industries located in Taxila, Wah and Hassanabdal witnessed thin attendance due to unavailability of transport.

Containers were placed at Wah Garden bridge and Margalla Hills restricting vehicular traffic. Commuters, including women, were seen carrying their belongings and trying to reach their destinations on foot.

Students and office goers who travel daily to and from Rawalpindi and Islamabad were affected the most. Buses which carried students of University of Wah, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Wah Medical College and Comsats University which ply on different routes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad could not be operated due to the road blockades.

Ambulances were also seen stuck in the gridlocks for hours.

“Today was my interview at a government organisation in Islamabad as I have qualified the written test but I could not reach the capital due to unavailability of transport,” said Irshad Ali, who was standing at the Taxila bus stand.

Zain Naqvi said he was taking his mother for a test at Pims but failed to get a taxi.

Kamran Ahmed, an employee of a cement factory, said he was also unable to reach his workplace.

Bisma Khan, who wanted to reach CMH Rawalpindi for a medical check-up, said she missed her appointment due to the road blockades.

Another commuter said he was travelling to Haripur for a relative’s funeral but was stuck at Taxila.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2020