Cricket matches disrupt trade, daily life

Suspension of prisoners' court appearances delays hearings in 7,500 cases

RAWALPINDI:

Cricket matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium have virtually paralysed the system of producing suspects from Adiala Jail before courts in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, businesses in the Food Market and shops on both sides of Double Road have suffered heavy losses.

The continued closure of the city's largest recreational facility, Allama Iqbal Park, due to security arrangements has also deprived residents and families of recreational opportunities.

The Metro Bus station on Double Road has been completely closed because of the matches, while nearby petrol pumps have also been sealed. Daily traffic movement on Double Road has been severely disrupted.

As a result, hearings in criminal cases before 50 courts across Rawalpindi district have been delayed. During the past three days alone, hearings in 7,500 cases could not take place in district courts.

The police guards responsible for transporting suspects from the jail to courts have been deployed at the cricket stadium, while police prisoner vans have also been assigned to stadium security. Consequently, the process of producing suspects before courts has been completely suspended.

With the Karachi Test also being shifted to Rawalpindi, the same situation is expected to continue for the next 10 days.

Traffic disruption, problems faced by schools on Double Road, difficulties for local residents in commuting and the closure of the Metro Bus station have left traders and residents frustrated.

Shops and markets along the entire stretch of Double Road have been sealed or forced to remain closed, prompting them to demand that Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium be shifted to Islamabad.

Students, female students, women and other passengers wishing to board the Metro Bus for Saddar and Islamabad from Double Road are being forced to walk two furlongs to the Faizabad station.

The complete sealing of Allama Iqbal Park has also prevented residents of adjoining localities and other citizens from visiting the park. Morning walks and jogging by elderly people and women, particularly during the early morning hours, have also come to an end.

Private offices and shops on Double Road are largely closed, bringing business activities at hundreds of outlets to a standstill. The closure of all small and large food stalls and restaurants in the Food Market has reportedly caused daily financial losses worth millions of rupees.

Access to the main church on Double Road has also become difficult.

Traders, shopkeepers and residents of Double Road and Shamsabad, including Faisal Nadeem, Shaukat Ali, Faizan Shah and Qaiser Khan, have appealed to the administration with folded hands to address their problems.