Traders on Monday held demonstrations against a blocked crossing from Muslim Town to Shama Cinema and against the high-handed traffic wardens who have been insulting commuters since the Metro Bus’s advent.
Earlier, the inhabitants had staged a protest on May 19, but no one had acted against the wardens’ inappropriate attitude, said the area’s businessmen and residents. They said that the wardens’ behavior towards them had worsened following their protest.
“Our business has been destroyed completely as we don’t have any crossing. Wardens are adding insult to our injuries by misbehaving whenever someone crosses the road coming from Wahdat Road and ModelTown to reach Jamia Ashrafia, Amanullah,” said a wood businessman near Jamia Ashrafia.
The protesters maintained that it seemed as if the wardens are assigned daily targets for challans, which is why they bother people needlessly near Fazlia Colony and Rehmanpura, relaxing once their challan quota is complete.
“Though it is routine for wardens to beat up motorcyclists and car drivers, one day four wardens seriously injured a boy less than 17 years of age. He complained to the concerned police station but to no avail,” told a carpet trader.
Further, a Shah Jamal resident said, “Shahbaz Sharif’s government has wronged us greatly as we have been left with no crossing and no Metro Bus stop.” “The Shahbaz government wanted to demolish Fazlia Colony but was unsuccessful. The MuslimTown over-bridge passes through our area but we cannot use it. We have no crossing cut between MuslimTown and Shama,” he added.
The residents added that they could not use the route behind the Jamia Ashrafi as it was dangerous, known for frequent robberies and murders.