Major arteries of Islamabad, Rawalpindi blocked as pro-Qadri protesters storm Red Zone
Public suffer in long lines due to protest on Qadri’s chehlum
Police fire tear gas at the protesters. PHOTO: WASEEM NAZIR/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
It was a day of total chaos as protesters damaged properties, vehicles causing heavy traffic jams on the main highways. The law enforcement personnel seemed ineffective in controlling them. Main highways leading towards Red Zone were blocked by placing containers, trucks and barbed wires.
Religious groups marched from Rawalpindi in the morning and wanted to enter Red Zone to press their demands.
The day saw further violence from protesters who declare themselves as following a path of peace.
People stranded at different arteries all across the capital had nothing but one demand from the state authorities -- to establish the writ of the state and put their house in order so people do not suffer.
“It is painful to witness the exploitation of a magnificent religion,” regretted a woman stuck in a traffic jam near Rawal Chowk.
She argued with policemen in vain, who told her loudly that she will “have to wait until the problem resolves itself.”
A heavy contingent of police and rangers were deployed on the roads, which had also been blocked with barricades and containers.
Law enforcement officials continued to direct people to take any route open to them “go wherever they could” as roads would only be opened once the protest had concluded.
“People suffer every time there is a rally, protest or VIP movement,” a motorcyclist said.
Meanwhile, it was reported that protesters pelted stones at passersby, vehicles, buildings and bus stops while marching near Centaurus Mall and entering Blue Area. Later, they entered the Red Zone and continued to record their protest by damaging property and attacking law enforcers.
The protest caused inconvenience for people travelling on the main arteries in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and long queues were seen on the road. Those using public transport were affected the most. A large number of people, including aged people, women and children, were seen marching home on different roads in the absence of public transport.
No traffic plan was witnessed to control the flow of traffic at the Murree Road near Islamabad Club and Park Road, as policemen kept diverting vehicles to roads leading to rural areas of the capital.
Residents of the capital, especially those who wanted to reach Aabpara and its surrounding sectors, were also asked to either wait or choose an alternate route.
Murree Road blocked; metro closed
Traffic on Murree Road remained suspended for the whole day. Other city roads also witnessed snarl-ups as traffic from Murree Road was diverted to them.
The authorities also closed down metro bus service in the morning. The service remained suspended the whole day.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2016.
It was a day of total chaos as protesters damaged properties, vehicles causing heavy traffic jams on the main highways. The law enforcement personnel seemed ineffective in controlling them. Main highways leading towards Red Zone were blocked by placing containers, trucks and barbed wires.
Religious groups marched from Rawalpindi in the morning and wanted to enter Red Zone to press their demands.
The day saw further violence from protesters who declare themselves as following a path of peace.
People stranded at different arteries all across the capital had nothing but one demand from the state authorities -- to establish the writ of the state and put their house in order so people do not suffer.
“It is painful to witness the exploitation of a magnificent religion,” regretted a woman stuck in a traffic jam near Rawal Chowk.
She argued with policemen in vain, who told her loudly that she will “have to wait until the problem resolves itself.”
A heavy contingent of police and rangers were deployed on the roads, which had also been blocked with barricades and containers.
Law enforcement officials continued to direct people to take any route open to them “go wherever they could” as roads would only be opened once the protest had concluded.
“People suffer every time there is a rally, protest or VIP movement,” a motorcyclist said.
Meanwhile, it was reported that protesters pelted stones at passersby, vehicles, buildings and bus stops while marching near Centaurus Mall and entering Blue Area. Later, they entered the Red Zone and continued to record their protest by damaging property and attacking law enforcers.
The protest caused inconvenience for people travelling on the main arteries in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and long queues were seen on the road. Those using public transport were affected the most. A large number of people, including aged people, women and children, were seen marching home on different roads in the absence of public transport.
No traffic plan was witnessed to control the flow of traffic at the Murree Road near Islamabad Club and Park Road, as policemen kept diverting vehicles to roads leading to rural areas of the capital.
Residents of the capital, especially those who wanted to reach Aabpara and its surrounding sectors, were also asked to either wait or choose an alternate route.
Murree Road blocked; metro closed
Traffic on Murree Road remained suspended for the whole day. Other city roads also witnessed snarl-ups as traffic from Murree Road was diverted to them.
The authorities also closed down metro bus service in the morning. The service remained suspended the whole day.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2016.