Markets, schools, gas stations and public transport closed for five kilometers
Adiala Highway. Photo: Courtesy — GDR
RAWALPINDI:
Daily life came to a standstill in and around Adiala Road after Rawalpindi authorities imposed the strictest possible measures to block the movement of supporters on the occasion of the ‘Meet Day’ scheduled for Tuesday, for workers seeking to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
All markets from Gorakhpur to Dahgal along Adiala Road were completely closed, shopping areas were closed, petrol stations were sealed and all public and private schools as well as public transport were suspended. A five kilometer stretch of Adiala Road was effectively converted into a no-go zone.
On Tuesday, Adiala Road witnessed a complete shutdown of transport and commercial activity. With the forced closure of shops and markets, businesses came to a standstill and merchants began to protest. Parents were also distraught over the sudden closure of schools; many arrived early in the morning to drop off their children only to find the doors locked and were sent back home. Shops were forcibly closed at dawn, gas stations were cordoned off with barriers and streets leading to Adiala Road were sealed with barbed wire.
Gorakhpur traders (Faisal Nadeem, Shafqat Aziz and Munawar Ahmed) said their businesses were ruined due to Adiala jail. They complained that twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, markets, squares and offices were forcibly sealed. Laborers who come to Adiala Road in search of work were also expelled. “
Public transport from Rawalpindi Saddar to Adiala village and other nearby areas was also suspended, forcing vehicles to take a four-kilometre detour and charging passengers an additional fifty rupees. This caused disputes between passengers and conductors throughout the day. Students and employees traveling from Adiala Road to schools, colleges, universities and workplaces in the city were also prohibited from using the route. Many citizens were forced to travel an extra four kilometers to reach their destinations, causing widespread delays.
The stretch from Dahgal to Gorakhpur along Adiala Road was declared a red zone and security was beefed up to the highest level. The external security of Adiala Jail was further strengthened. Markets, shopping areas and educational institutions along this stretch remained completely closed.
A two-shift special security plan was implemented, under which SHOs from 20 police stations, eight DSPs, two SPs and more than 1,200 personnel were deployed. Six inspectors and 48 female commandos were on duty. Heavy contingents were posted at Dahgal check post, gate number 1, gate number 5, Mor factory and Gorakhpur.
