Gridlock in metropolis distresses citizens

Traffic system of the provincial metropolis came to a standstill on almost all the main roads and chowks due to protests by activists of a religious group on Monday. Reportedly, the activists protested against the arrest of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) Leader Saad Rizvi from Wahdat Road when he was returning home after offering funeral prayers of a businessman, Rana Akhtar Mehmood. The Saddar SP along with teams of police and CTD carried out the arrest. Clashes between police and the protesters took place in different areas including Chowk Yateem Khana. Police also resorted to tear gas shelling. The protesters blocked almost all the main roads and chowks as well as entry and exit points of the city. They blocked the traffic at 22 points. The protesters also blocked the motorway at various interchanges, including Thokar Niaz Beg, Faizpur and Kot Abdul Malik. The main intercity roads like GT Road and Multan Road were also blocked after brief intervals. The protesters blocked the main entry and exit points of the city like Saggian Bridge, Shahdara Mor, Gajjumatta and Thokar Niaz Beg. The blockade caused much nuisance to commuters already disturbed in absence of intra-city public transport that was off the roads due to smart lockdown imposed by the government to curb the spread of coronavirus.