Life in the city returned to normal on Friday after being on hold during the five-day-long sit-in organised by Tahirul Qadri. The long march had halted nearly all commercial, academic and social activities in the capital, turning it into a ghost town for five days, during the long march. Most restaurants, business centres, schools, embassies and government offices had remained closed for three days.
However on Friday, people were seen returning to their offices and shops, but thin attendance was observed in all educational institutions.
Public transport returned to the roads as well. Many people had been worried that the protesters might turn violent and damage public property, however the marchers had remained peaceful until the end of the sit-in.
Residents of areas near the Constitutional Avenue had been on tenterhooks as there were rumours that the protesters could be targeted by terrorists. “It was very disturbing for us, we prayed that things would remain under control and there would be no violence as there is always a chance of trouble when such rallies are held,” said Noor Fatima, a housewife.
“We have relaxed now that the protesters have left the venue peacefully,” she added. Shopkeepers in the Blue Area had wrapped up their shop fronts with tents, particularly automobile showrooms that also moved new cars elsewhere to avoid an unpleasant situation.
“The city has seen many political crises but this time things seemed different and more volatile,” Ahmad Naseem, a shopkeeper from Super Market said.
