Residents advised to stay indoors as many roads will be blocked. PHOTO: ISPR
ISLAMABAD:
As the Pakistan Day parade inches closer, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has advised citizens to avoid taking to streets unnecessarily.
The ICT Administration has decided to hold a rehearsal on March 21 (Saturday) and all roads leading to Parade Avenue will remain closed, said an official.
The closure of roads may create problems for Islamabad residents, who said the announcement will take a toll on their routine life.
“I had booked a marriage hall in Sector I-8 Markaz for my wedding but was asked to cancel the event,” said Muhammad Ali.
Almost all living close to the parade avenue shared the same story, saying the citizens were unnecessarily made to suffer ahead of the event.
“I am astonished to understand why the event is not being held at the old venue, so that residents could move freely,” said Fahad Khan.
The ICT Administration has already beefed up security in the capital by deploying police, Rangers and army personnel. The police have established checkposts in different parts of the city to carry out checking of vehicles.
The Islamabad Police has already asked traders in the federal capital to close up shop to ensure foolproof security on the day.
The police said that all wedding halls, guest houses and hotels, roadside restaurants and kiosks will also remain closed.
Owners of hotels and guest houses have already been instructed not allow any guests to stay, causing losses of millions of rupees for them. Small Traders and Small Industries Islamabad President Muhammad Kamran said that the business community was already facing financial losses due to the current law and order situation, and the new directions will further dent their business.
He said that guest houses and hotels have been closed for the last two weeks and questioned how the owners will manage their expenses.
Meanwhile, a senior police official said that over 10,000 police officers would be deputed for the event, besides Rangers and army personnel.
He said that reinforcements would also be called in from Punjab and AJK to assist the Islamabad Police.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2015.
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