Commuters of twin cities were inconvenienced as public transport vehicles were in short supply. The otherwise bustling Aabpara market was deserted as major arteries around it were closed. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
Traders, residents and commuters suffered immensely on Friday as all the roads leading to Aabpara were blocked by the city administration for the entire day for a rally organised by Ahle Sunnat wal Jama’at (ASWJ).
The organisation — a rehashed version of the banned extremist outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan — marked the day to commemorate the death anniversary of its slain leader and former member of National Assembly, Maulana Azam Tariq.
The venue of the “Shuhada-i-Islam and Istehkam-e-Pakistan” conference was cordoned off by erecting fences and jersey barriers. The flow of traffic was diverted to narrow lanes and streets of Sector G-6.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir Highway turned into a bus stand with wagons and cars of the participants parked on the roads as well as the adjacent green belts which caused huge traffic jams and inconvenience to motorists.
Throughout the day, till evening, the market area resonated with fiery speeches emanating from the rally.
“Everyone who wants to go to Aabpara is asking us where to park their cars and when we tell them there is no place to do so, they park wherever they find a place,” said Muhammad Yousuf, an official of the Islamabad Traffic Police who was busy guiding motorists.
He told The Express Tribune that around 25 traffic police officials have been deputed for the rally to control the traffic. “In Islamabad, even a single blocked road causes massive traffic jams,” he added.
As the roads opened again after the rally, long queues of vehicles could be seen as traffic remained suspended owing to the exit of the rally’s participants.
On the other hand, commuters using public vans en route to Aabpara had to wait for hours to get a ride. “I have come from Rawalpindi and I now have to go to Bhara Kahu but for the last one hour I am standing here and waiting for public transport,” said Sughra Bibi.
The capital’s oldest market, Aabpara, which is otherwise bustling with shoppers, gave a deserted look as it was closed for motorists. “In normal days I earn over Rs5,000 but today I have barely made Rs500 and it’s almost nighttime now,” said Tauseef, a salesman selling fresh salad.
He said that the day when there is any rally or procession all the shopkeepers feel like they are going to the red zone instead of their shops.
Some of the shopkeepers, after being disheartened due to the low turnout, were seen playing cricket on Suhrawardy Road.
“It is better to play cricket instead of sitting idle for the entire day in a shop waiting for customers,” said Kamran, a salesman.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2013.
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