Heavy rains: PAT, PTI protesters stick to their guns

Activists insist the rains would not ruin their mission

ISLAMABAD:

Heavy thundershowers have caused inconvenience to many protesters who had gathered at Constitution Avenue for the Azadi and Inqilab marches.

Several protesters did not have umbrellas to protect them from the rain. According to sources, they were compelled to seek shelter in the containers. Many participants also sought refuge in the ambulances, trucks and buses parked at the venue.

“I brought two umbrellas to the protests but they were stolen. Now, I do not have any to protect myself except for a shawl,” said Yasmeen Bibi, an activist from Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Other PAT workers insisted that the rains would not deter them from their mission to bring a positive change.

“We have become used to the rain. It cannot weaken our resolve in any way,” said Hussain, a PAT activist.

Outbreak

Assistant Director of Health at Red Crescent Society Dr Asma Hasnat – who provides medical assistance at the Constitution Avenue – said that every day over 150 protesters have complained of upper respiratory tract infections, high-grade fever, muscle aches and chest congestions.

“The rain – coupled with the heap of garbage lying around – is adversely affecting the health of the participants,” she said.

Dr Hasnat added that there is a strong likelihood of an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection in the area.

Another medical expert from Red Crescent, Dr Saifur Rehman, said that the living conditions of the protesters have made them prone to infectious diseases.

According to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) seven police personnel deployed at protest site, were admitted in hospital with high grade fever, flu and chill.

Traffic jams

Heavy downpours in Rawal­pindi and Islamabad have disturbed the normal routine of citizens since Monday.

Massive traffic jams were reported because the roads were inundated with rainwater. Several cars were stuck in traffic on Sufi Tabassum Road, H-8, Margalla Road, Zero Point, G-8 Markaz, Islamabad Highway, Faizabad, IJP Principal Road and 6th Road.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, an Islamabad Traffic Police official said that the traffic signals had stopped working because of the rains and the traffic flow had to be manually controlled by police personnel.

Alternative routes were also blocked due to construction work in the city, he said.

Shipping containers doubling up as barricades along the route of the Azadi and Inqilab marches have also created difficulties for commuters and resulted in massive traffic jams, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2014.