One year later: Both twins get their rallies

Capital, Rawalpindi residents prefer staying indoors, commuters suffer as transport goes off-road.

ISLAMABAD:

Despite pleasant weather, Sunday did not hold much fun for residents of the twin cities, as the closure of roads at different locations to facilitate participants of two rallies restricted movement in some areas.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) held rallies simultaneously at D-Chowk in Islamabad and Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi respectively against alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.

Since morning, major streets and roads in the twin cities wore a relatively deserted look, as some commercial centres stayed shut to avoid any security threats and most commuters stayed off the roads.

Because of the heavy deployment at D-Chowk, elsewhere in the city, traffic officials were few and far between, and motorists, especially out-of-town rally participants, took full advantage. Helmetless bikers, people dancing while standing on the backs of moving motorcycles, and entire motorcades driving on the wrong side of major roads were seen in Aabpara, en route to the rally site.

With cars driving straight into traffic already creating a serious hazard, some youngsters were also getting off bikes the middle of the road and taking the opportunity to dance.

Islamabad Traffic Police Spokesperson Shams Gill said that around 7,000 police personnel had been deputed on roads around the city, besides 3,000 cops at D-Chowk.

“Even our administrative staff is on the road performing duties,” he told The Express Tribune.

Anees Mohammad, the owner of dress shop at Chandi Chowk in Rawalpindi, said most of his customers visit in large numbers on Sundays, but today they could not even open up due to fear of a possible untoward situation.

Mohammad Ashraf, a salesman at a garment shop in Aabpara said they opened their shops in the morning, had to close them after the PTI supports started pouring on the streets.

Meanwhile, due to a shortage of public transport, commuters faced difficulties in reaching their destinations.

“I have been waiting for a public transport van for an hour, but haven’t found any with space. Taxi drivers are overcharging,” said Muhammad Ismail, who was with his wife and one-year-old baby at the Bhara Kahu bus stop, trying to get to Bari Imam.

Security personnel had been deployed on the roofs of buildings along Jinnah Avenue, while most the roads leading to Jinnah Avenue up to Kalsoom Plaza were blocked for traffic. Metal detectors and walkthrough gates had been installed at entrance points of the rally.

All major hospitals had also been put on high alert to deal with emergencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2014.