Executed man’s funeral: Capital’s major roads to remain blocked today
News of execution disrupts civic life, educational activities in twin cities
Protesters block Faizabad interchange on the Islamabad Expressway after Mumtaz Qadri’s execution, while Rangers stand alert nearby. PHOTOS: AGHA MEHROZ/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Police have decided to block all major arteries and roads in the capital as a pre-emptive measure to cope with any untoward situation that may arise during the funeral of Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was hanged to death in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi on Monday.
As a precautionary measure, some educational institutes have also announced to stay closed on Tuesday (today).
The news of Qadri’s execution disrupted civic life and educational activities in the twin cities.
Attendance in government and private offices remained thin as majority of employees could not make it to their workplaces due to roadblocks and shortage of public transport caused by protests staged by Qadri’s sympathisers near Faizabad, and other locations.
The protests, temporarily caused suspension of traffic between the twin cities.
The metro bus service also remained suspended throughout the day as protesters occupied tracks near Faizabad and other areas. The demonstrators also blocked Islamabad Expressway near Faizabad Bridge.
“A small number of protesters are present on and beneath the Faizabad Bridge and they are pelting stones at vehicles and long queues of trucks and buses could be seen from a distance,” Nadeem Khan, a resident of Rawalpindi said.
He said that he managed to reach his office in Blue Area only as the police diverted Islamabad-bound traffic from Faizabad to I-8 through the IJP Road.
Public educational institutes in Islamabad were closed without any official notification by the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD). Science paper for Class 5 was also cancelled.
In Islamabad, business centres and shopping malls remained open.
However, shortage of public transport was felt.
Commuters faced a lot of problems, while cabs took advantage of the situation and charged extra.
Meanwhile, the administration of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad announced that the varsity would remain closed from Tuesday (today) and would re-open on March 5.
All examinations of the university have been re-scheduled accordingly. Nust and Comsats universities also announced that they would remain closed on Tuesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2016.
Police have decided to block all major arteries and roads in the capital as a pre-emptive measure to cope with any untoward situation that may arise during the funeral of Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was hanged to death in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi on Monday.
As a precautionary measure, some educational institutes have also announced to stay closed on Tuesday (today).
The news of Qadri’s execution disrupted civic life and educational activities in the twin cities.
Attendance in government and private offices remained thin as majority of employees could not make it to their workplaces due to roadblocks and shortage of public transport caused by protests staged by Qadri’s sympathisers near Faizabad, and other locations.
The protests, temporarily caused suspension of traffic between the twin cities.
The metro bus service also remained suspended throughout the day as protesters occupied tracks near Faizabad and other areas. The demonstrators also blocked Islamabad Expressway near Faizabad Bridge.
“A small number of protesters are present on and beneath the Faizabad Bridge and they are pelting stones at vehicles and long queues of trucks and buses could be seen from a distance,” Nadeem Khan, a resident of Rawalpindi said.
He said that he managed to reach his office in Blue Area only as the police diverted Islamabad-bound traffic from Faizabad to I-8 through the IJP Road.
Public educational institutes in Islamabad were closed without any official notification by the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD). Science paper for Class 5 was also cancelled.
In Islamabad, business centres and shopping malls remained open.
However, shortage of public transport was felt.
Commuters faced a lot of problems, while cabs took advantage of the situation and charged extra.
Meanwhile, the administration of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad announced that the varsity would remain closed from Tuesday (today) and would re-open on March 5.
All examinations of the university have been re-scheduled accordingly. Nust and Comsats universities also announced that they would remain closed on Tuesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2016.