Life limps back to normalcy in Pindi

RAWALPINDI:

The city of Rawalpindi is finally back to its bustling self after the removal of containers and trailers from the roads allowed the public to resume their routine after 10 days of restriction.

Following the agreement between the government and the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) group, the stringent security arrangements put in place to prevent any untoward situation in the light of TLP’s planned march to the federal capital have finally been relaxed.

A 10,000 strong contingent of police, security personnel and rangers that had been called over from South Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir has also started departing.

Public transport encompassing wagons, minibuses and coasters has also been restored.

Meanwhile, although the Metrobus service was also allowed to resume operations, the Rehmanabad station is still under guard, due to which buses are not stopping there.

It is hoped that by today, complete control of Metrobus will be handed over to Punjab Metrobus Authority, after which the Rehmanabad station will also be fully functional for passengers.

Intercity transport that was suspended because of the closure of GT Road has recommenced as well. However, the supply of food items could not be fully restored, as the GT Road was still closed at some points. According to the National Highways and Motorways Police (NHMP), GT Road is closed for traffic from Gujar Khan, Bhai Khan Bridge, Sohawa, Bakrala Jhelum Cantt, River Jhelum Bridge, Sarai Alamgir Toll Plaza, Canal Bridge, Gujarat and Chenab Toll.

NHMP officials said it was likely that the GT Road would be fully opened to traffic within the next two days.

Businessmen claimed that they have suffered a collective loss of billions of rupees because of the suspension of business, while getting from one place to another was also a massive ordeal for the average person.

Business resumes on Murree Road

Residents of Rawalpindi and shopkeepers on either sides of Murree Road who were on tenterhooks the entire time are relieved with the overall return to normalcy.

Business has resumed at the city’s largest jewellers, electronics, auto dealers and workshops, medical and bridal shops on Murree Road and is already enjoying a roaring trade on the very first day back at work.

Citizens whose cars were parked at their respective homes for almost a fortnight have finally taken out their vehicles on roads again, albeit at the cost of traffic jams on Murree Road.

Thousands of commuters, whose nature of work required daily plying of Faizabad, the main thoroughfare between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, also heaved a sigh of relief as authorities cleared the area of containers as well.

All schools, colleges, and universities have reopened, with institutes reporting full attendance of students on Monday.

Shops selling food, soups, kebabs, fish, roast chicken, etc. in and around Murree Road were also crowded with customers intent on making up for lost time.

RWMC cleans up city’s waste

As soon as roads were opened after successful negotiations between the government and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) on Monday was mobilised to remove accumulated waste from all over the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2021.