Life returned to normalcy in Rawalpindi garrison city on Monday, as citizens resumed their routine activities after a three-day long curfew was lifted, however, Section 144 of Criminal Penal Code (CrPC) will stay in force as a precautionary measure until further orders.
The Rawalpindi administration lifted the curfew at 6am on Monday.
This decision was taken in a meeting chaired by DCO Sajid Zafar.
The army, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies would remain on high alert to handle any untoward situation.
The city remained under curfew for two days that crippled routine life, creating a shortage of food and other essential goods.
All government office and business centres reopened and public transport vehicles plied the roads per routine.
The residents, who were literally under house arrest for three days, heaved a sigh of relief as they suffered the most during the curfew.
Acquisition of basic necessities of life had become extremely difficult for citizens as shopkeepers, who were running low on supplies, resorted to black-marketing and charged excessive rates.
A 20 kilo bag of flour was sold for Rs 1,000 and eggs were being sold for Rs 25 each, while onions, potatoes and tomatoes were sold at more than twice the normal rates.
Security at worship places was been beefed up and troops were at stand by to meet any eventuality.
A judicial commission and a fact-finding commission have been set up to probe into the violence that left nine people dead and over 60 injured on Friday.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the provincial government had formed a committee to examine losses of properties in Friday’s violence in Rawalpindi and the affected people would be compensated.
He said the body would report to the CM in 24 hours, following which the affected citizens and traders would be given compensation.
About Friday’s incident, the minister said nearly 150 people attending a mourning procession attacked a mosque in Raja Bazar which triggered the clash. He did not elaborate further, saying that the matter was sub judice.
He said the government would repair the affected mosque.
Deploring the loss of precious lives in the incident‚ the provincial minister said the death toll had risen to ten with the expiry of an injured person on Monday. “These are the actual facts and figures which should not be exaggerated at all,” he said.
Sana said the fact finding committee had also been formed with the task to interrogate junior to senior level police officials. Those found involved in negligence would be given punishment per rules, he added.