Political turmoil paralyses life in Pindi

RAWALPINDI:

Political unrest and road closures, compounded by the heavy-handedness of law enforcement agencies have brought Rawalpindi's economic and social life to a standstill.

Markets, commercial centres and shopping plazas are deserted, with shopkeepers sitting idle for three days, waiting in vain for customers.

Wedding halls, banquet marquees and hotels have been shut down entirely, leading to the cancellation of thousands of weddings and receptions.

According to Faisal Qureshi, Vice President of the Marriage Halls Union, November and December are peak wedding months, but the current situation has forced the cancellation of over 11,000 wedding events in the twin cities, with the actual number believed to be even higher.

Rawalpindi and Islamabad collectively host around 10,000 wedding venues, including halls, marquees, and hotels.

Events scheduled from November 22 to November 26 have been called off, resulting in substantial financial losses. The catering, food, and tent service sectors, which depend on these events, have also been devastated.

Out-of-city wedding processions, as well as those coming from nearby tehsils, have been cancelled, doubling the losses for these businesses.

Public transportation, including wagons, taxis, and Suzuki vans, has been non-operational for three days, crippling intra-city movement. While regular vehicles remain grounded, motorbikes and Qingqi rickshaws are taking advantage of the situation by charging exorbitant fares, forcing citizens to use multiple rides to reach their destinations.

The crisis has also severely impacted patients' access to hospitals, with families struggling to transport loved ones amid the closures. Citizens, including Asghar Ali and Gul Riaz, voiced their frustration, saying, "Protests and rallies from Peshawar to Islamabad are fine, but why block roads, hospitals, and alternate routes? This is sheer injustice."