Traders, commuters hit by Adiala Road closure

Everyday life came to a standstill on Adiala Road and its surroundings after authorities in Rawalpindi imposed the strictest possible measures to block the movement of supporters on the occasion of the "Meeting Day" scheduled for Tuesday, for workers seeking to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

All markets from Gorakhpur to Dahgal along Adiala Road were completely shut, commercial areas were closed, petrol stations were sealed, and all government and private schools as well as public transport were suspended. A five-kilometre stretch of Adiala Road was effectively turned into a no-go zone.

On Tuesday, Adiala Road witnessed a complete shutdown of transport and commercial activity. With shops and markets forcibly closed, business came to a standstill and traders took to protest. Parents were also distressed by the sudden closure of schools; many arrived early in the morning to drop off their children only to find the gates locked and were sent back home. Shops were forcibly closed at dawn, petrol stations were cordoned off with barriers, and streets leading onto Adiala Road were sealed with barbed wire.

Traders from Gorakhpur — Faisal Nadeem, Shafqat Aziz and Munawar Ahmed — said their businesses were being ruined because of Adiala Jail. They complained that twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, markets, plazas and offices were forcibly sealed. Daily-wage labourers who come to Adiala Road to seek work were also driven away. "

Public transport from Rawalpindi Saddar to Adiala village and onward areas was also halted, forcing vehicles to take a four-kilometre detour and charge passengers an extra fifty rupees. This led to disputes between passengers and conductors throughout the day. Students and employees travelling from Adiala Road to schools, colleges, universities and workplaces in the city were also barred from using the route. Many citizens were forced to travel an additional four kilometres to reach their destinations, resulting in widespread delays.

The stretch from Dahgal to Gorakhpur along Adiala Road was declared a red zone, with security tightened to the highest level. External security of Adiala Jail was further reinforced. Markets, commercial areas and educational institutions along this section remained completely closed.

A special two-shift security plan was implemented, under which SHOs from 20 police stations, eight DSPs, two SPs, and more than 1,200 personnel were deployed. Six lady inspectors and 48 female commandos were on duty. Heavy contingents were stationed at the Dahgal checkpoint, Gate No 1, Gate No 5, Factory Mor and Gorakhpur.