Businesses come to standstill in Pindi

Roads blocked with containers and barricades ahead of PTI rally

RAWALPINDI:

Business activities have come to a standstill in Rawalpindi as authorities have started to place containers on main roads ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) march on the federal capital.

Though all business centres and big shopping malls remained open Tuesday, no buyers showed up due to the closure of major roads. Murree Road, Rawal Road, Iqbal Road, Liaquat Road, Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Bara Bazaar and all bazaars in Saddar remained completely empty of buyers. Containers and barricades have been erected in various places, completely paralyzing routine life and business activities.

Citizens and students, commuters and office-goers also faced difficulties in reaching their destinations while ambulances also got stuck on roads due to closures. Police and the district administration have cordoned off GT Road, Peshawar Road, Islamabad Expressway and Pirwadhai Road by placing 150 containers, tractor-trolleys and heavy trucks.

Dozens of trucks placed on roads also contained vegetables and fruit, which were seized by police despite protests by the drivers. Police also kept registration books of these vehicles and the driving licences and identity cards of the drivers. A large number of containers have been parked at the Committee Chowk, Sunday Bazaar, around District Court Road and on various other roads.

Regional transport authority sources said that all containers and trucks will be compensated.

Schools and offices on Murree Road, Faizabad, IJ Principal Road and Double Road have been will remain closed on Wednesday, May 25.

Due to the long march, attendance at educational institutions, offices and district courts across the city is likely to be lower than usual on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the government is also keeping an anxious vigil and rapidly encircling itself with a moat against the PTI’s supporters who are likely to spill onto the main arteries of the capital and storm the Red Zone if polls are not announced.

Around 8,000 personnel of Punjab Constabulary and 2,000 personnel of Anti-Riot Force and Sindh Police have been called in, while 500 women personnel will be massed outside the demonstration area.

In addition, around 100 prison vans will be summoned to Islamabad from other provinces. The federal government has sought assistance from contingents of the security personnel along with the complete command system from all provinces.

Similarly, over 4,000 Rangers personnel will be in the federal capital and 15,000 tear gas shells have also been demanded from the provinces.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2022.