Pakistan

Damage to public property by pro-Qadri supporters estimated at Rs150 million

Metro bus stations destroyed; sit-in outside parliament continues

Photo: Mudassar Raja/Photo: Rizwan Shehzad Photo: Rizwan Shehzad/rizwan Shehzad/Danish Hussain March 29, 2016

The Punjab Metro Bus Authority estimates that 100,558 inter-city commuters were affected by the service’s suspension throughout the day. PHOTOS: MUDASSAR RAJA/RIZWAN SHEHZAD/ EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:

The authorities have estimated loss to public infrastructure at nearly Rs150 million due to destruction at the hands of participants of a pro-Mumtaz Qadri sit-in that continues at D-Chowk.

Almost 100,558 inter-city commuters, according to a Punjab Metrobus Authority (PMA) estimate, were affected as the service remained suspended throughout the day.

On Sunday night, when police tried to stop the protesters from advancing towards D-Chowk they turned violent.

Major arteries of Islamabad, Rawalpindi blocked as pro-Qadri protesters storm Red Zone

Parade Ground Station of the Metro Bus Service located on Jinnah Avenue was completely ransacked by the protesters, while heavy power generators and other installments were also set on fire.

The protesters also burnt three motorcycles parked near the station as well as few shipping containers the police had placed to stop them.

The PMA estimates loss of nearly Rs120 million due to complete destruction of the said station.

It says it also lost revenue of over Rs2 million approximately due to suspension of the service.

“This property was built using the taxpayers’ money and no one should go scot-free for destroying it,” said a young employee of a private office located near the Parade Ground station.

Several others also expressed anger over destruction of public property, in the name of religion.

Meanwhile, attendance at government and private offices located in and around the Red Zone remained considerably thin on the first working day of the week.

Mobile phone service in red zone and adjoining areas was suspended by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Monday morning, which was not restored till the time this report was sent to the press.

Capital residents suffered due to suspension of mobile phone services.

Universities and other educational institutes remained opened but students faced difficulties due to shortage of public transport.

Officials of the city administration, while requesting anonymity said that the law enforcement agencies were busy chalking out plans to evacuate the protesters from D-Chowk, adjacent to the Constitution Avenue.

Protest inside red zone turns into a sit-in

The Constitution Avenue has seen a number of protests especially in the last some years.

From the protests during the lawyers’ movement in 2007 to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s sit-ins, the Constitution Avenue has seen some of the most vocal demonstrations.

Till the filing of this report, government and protesters were nowhere near reaching an amicable solution to the standoff.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (11)

Humza | 8 years ago | Reply @Parvez: Yu really don't understand that nothing excuses public mischief and violence. I am sure these same miscreants would destroy schools, hospitals and anything else made with taxpayer money since they are part of a mob. By allowing the PTI sit ins, people are told that mob rule is allowed instead of working within the system. The 3 rd world mind set wants quick fixes instead of rational debate within the system. The protesters should be identified and charged and also made to pay for damages. The same way, the PTI protesters should also have to pay for damages. If people cannot protest peacefully, they should be charged with public mischief.

Hasan Ansari | 8 years ago | Reply Find footage of rioters and bill them for the damage. Confiscate their property like it's done all over the world.

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Abdussalam Choudhry | 8 years ago | Reply Police should have shot each and every single of these terrorist sympathizers. Missed a great opportunity to get rid of these extremists in our midst. I say whenever there is a JI, or JUI or MQM rally, kill all the participants.

Imran Qadri | 8 years ago | Reply Ban these organisations which damage public assets and govt building which were built using tax payers money. Add their names to proscribed organisations list and actively hunt them down and make them and their leaders and workers pay for the damages and destruction they have caused.

Gemini | 8 years ago | Reply @Shah: Definitely instead of educating people they are giving them infrastructure. A person without education will don't have to worry about clean streets and clean living. But educated ones are the most affected.

Zubair | 8 years ago | Reply All these people should be arrested and fined. They should be made to pay for the damage they have done.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Giving the people Metro Bus and Orange Line before giving them jobs, electricity, education, health care and access to justice.......this is the result .

Shah | 8 years ago | Reply Always knew this would happen to metro. It would have been logical to make such expensive projects after society is developed to respect them.

Hassan | 8 years ago | Reply What the government is up to??? deal with them the way a criminal would be dealt, do not let them take the law in their hands, the safety of the people and their property is the prime responsibility of the state. In Pakistan whoever wish to suspend the city's life nobody stops them. where the law for God sake, why are we paying taxes for???? R we living in Kabul or Somalia. please give us a reason to be proud of our country. Qadri a criminal and we r suffering to execute a criminal, wow. thumbs up. once u start charging these fanatics things will settle down else ones given freedom they will turn this country upside down.

Amir | 8 years ago | Reply Charge the organization that is leading this protest. Link their personal assets to this.

Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply Make each and every one of those good-for-nothings pay up for damages incurred, even if taxes are levied on them indefinitely !

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