Khatam-e-Nabuwat rally: Commuters suffer as protesters camp at China Chowk

Metro Bus service suspended; police keep Blue Area as the last barrier

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of commuters were left stranded on the roads of the capital while public transport remained thin with several roadblocks hindering movement as a rally of religious groups arrived from Lahore on Thursday.

The rally, organised by the Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasoolallah (TLYR), entered Islamabad from Murree Road at Faziabad at around noon.

By evening, they had set up a stage on Jinnah Avenue near China Chowk, a few hundred meters from the Parliament House.

The authorities blocked entrances to the Red Zone, including Jinnah Avenue, with containers to keep the rally away, since the organisers had announced plans to storm the area.

Owing to the roadblocks, public transport remained thin in the city. The Metro Bus service was also closed, adding to the problems for commuters.

Officials explained that the service had to be halted owing to security concerns, more so since the rally marched along the Metro track for most of their journey.

Hundreds of government employees, particularly those whose offices are located in the Red Zone, faced immense difficulties, first in reaching their destinations and then leaving their offices in the evening.

Owing to the closure of Jinnah Avenue, other thoroughfares in the capital saw immense traffic congestion.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal repeatedly apologised to the capital’s residents for the obstructions, explaining that they were necessary to maintain law and order and to protect the Red Zone, particularly the diplomatic community. However, they failed to lessen the inconvenience faced by commuters.

Earlier, the authorities took stringent security measures in the capital after the rally organisers refused to terms offered by the administration.

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration had offered the protesters to move to the Parade Ground to stage a demonstration. But the organisers insisted on marching up to Parliament House.

However, the authorities barricaded the Red Zone at China Chowk, declaring that the protesters will not be allowed to move any further.

A 400-500 crowd, facing up to thousands of law-enforcers, ultimately backed down, and decided to set up its stage on Jinnah Avenue.

Officials were also relieved that organisers had failed to draw crowds and fewer than expected people had joined the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2017.