ISLAMABAD:
The common man be damned when leaders are in town. Or so it seemed as leaders participating in the D-8 Summit in Islamabad arrived.
The traffic arteries from Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) to Red Zone were choked as wardens made an open route for the foreign guests.
The traffic was blocked intermittently all day at the Islamabad Expressway, Faizabad, Koral Chowk, Murree Road, Kashmir Highway, Aabpara Chowk and the surrounding roads of Serena Hotel.
Some ambulances were also stuck in the traffic, sounding their sirens in vain, as there was no way for them to move forward.
“I have been stuck here for half an hour. But am told that the delegates are moving so you cannot move ahead,” said Fazal, stuck at Aabpara Chowk.
Bilal, who was going home via the Airport Road, said, “I have been stuck here for 45 minutes. I had to be somewhere but now I will just head home.”
People who live in Bhara Kahu were also denied access to their homes. They tried accessing the suburban area through the alternate Club Road but were blocked there as well.
The traffic mess was worsened because the wardens kept restricting access to the roads on and off. Each delegate arrived after an interval of about 30 minutes. Each time they passed, the roads were blocked, resulting in massive traffic jams.
Security arrangements
SSP Traffic Dr Moeen Masood said access to Red Zone will be restricted for general traffic.
The traffic will be diverted from Margalla Road Trail III, Agha Khan Road, Ayub Chowk and Jinnah Avenue from Express Chowk and roads to these places will be closed for general traffic.
The restrictions apply from Wednesday midnight and will remain in effect on Thursday.
Malik reviews security plan
Interior Minister Rehman Malik ordered all offices of district administration as well as Pakistan Secretariat to remain closed except Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Chief Commissioner and DC Office, ICT Police, CDA, IESCO, National Assembly Secretariat, Senate Secretariat and Supreme Court.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (3)
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The photo is misleading... not related to Islamabad but more likely to be in Karachi
what are they afarid of? govt. and pvt. workers :P
After this all hardships, citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are facing, let's see what result comes out of this Decorated D8 Summit? Just photo session and some artificial agreements??