Traffic gridlocks worsen as Eid shopping begins

Eidul Fitr shopping has begun across all major and minor commercial centres, plazas, bazaars and markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, triggering massive congestion on key roads and in central shopping hubs.

As shoppers pour into markets ahead of Eid, the city's main commercial arteries have started to choke under mounting traffic pressure. In major shopping areas, even walking has become difficult due to overcrowding and a surge in encroachments.

Open markets are currently witnessing peak sales of unstitched fabric and shoes. Traders say that after the 15th of Ramazan, the sale of unstitched clothes will drop sharply as tailors typically stop accepting new orders from the third week of the holy month.

In the inner city, prominent women's shopping centres including Bara Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Purana Qila, Raja Bazaar, Kalan Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar and Lal Haveli Road are witnessing an unprecedented rush of cars, motorcycles and rickshaws, making pedestrian movement extremely difficult.

Similarly, major city roads and markets including Murree Road, Saddar, Fawara Chowk, Gawalmandi, Ganjmandi, Saidpur Road, Commercial Market, Raja Bazaar, Dingi Khoi, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni Chowk, Kohati Bazaar and Bhabhra Bazaar remain completely gridlocked due to heavy traffic. Despite the worsening situation, traffic wardens deployed at key roads and intersections appear more focused on issuing challans than regulating traffic flow. Motorcyclists, in particular, are reportedly being targeted with fines of Rs2,000 as part of challan quotas. Observers say the wardens' primary attention remains on motorcycles, while cars receive comparatively less scrutiny.

Another focus of enforcement is reportedly on overloaded vehicles and rickshaws, which are seen as lucrative targets.

According to accounts from the markets, if a loaded vehicle or rickshaw comes into sight, traffic wardens often abandon other motorists to stop and penalise it.

The situation worsens during iftar hours when the entire city — including commercial centres and bazaars — becomes severely congested. Traffic jams begin intensifying in the late afternoon and continue well into the night as Eid shopping gathers momentum.

Throughout Ramazan, traffic congestion peaks at multiple intervals daily. The first rush occurs between 7.30am and 9am during school and office hours. The second wave hits between 12.30pm and 2pm when educational institutions and offices close. The third and most severe congestion period takes place between 5pm and 6pm at iftar time. From 9pm to 11pm, late-night Eid shopping further disrupts the traffic system, leaving roads and markets across the city heavily affected while traffic wardens appear largely ineffective in restoring order.