ISLAMABAD
APP
The commuters of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are facing traffic rush on the Express Highway due to strict security measures for ensuring safety of citizens and participants of Azadi and Inqalab March.
The government has imposed Section 144 as part of security measures due to the reports of terrorism by intelligence agencies while the concerned department has taken special measures to avoid any untoward situation in the city.
The commuters of Express Highway and other main routes are facing problems due to the prolonged sit-in of Inqalab and Azadi March which have paralyzed the routine life in few parts of the city especially red zone.
“Normally I reach office in 20 minutes but for last two weeks, it takes around one to one and a half hour due to traffic rush and extra security at check posts”, said Asif Ali,who works at a private office at Zeropoint.
He added that the humid weather has added fuel to the injury as it is test of our nerves to travel and reach our destinations in almost double time with bumper to bumper traffic.
A government employee, Sabir Hussain said from Khanapul to Dhok Kala Khan stop, I reach in almost one hour due to traffic rush and reaching office late till start of these marches.
“What are the benefits of these marches for a common man except increasing their problems, leaving them with no option except to take long routes or stuck in traffic wasting fuel and having extra burden on our pockets”, he added.
The business community in different areas of capital is specifically affected by these protests as the number of customers has reduced for last two weeks and their sale graphs are constantly showing downward trends.
Students are also main victims of these marches as their vacations have been extended for three time and they have lost precious time of three weeks of their studies.
Justice Athar Minullah remarked, “Local administration should allocate separate place to the political parties in connection with their protests so that 200,000 or 2,000,000 people could assemble and record their protest and fundamental rights of the citizens are not breached and passages leading to SC and parliament are not closed.
The court also summoned senior lawyers as amicus curiae. The court has also sought reply from local administration and Ministry of Interior.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till September, 2.