RAWALPINDI: The traffic congestion in the city continued on Monday as the sit-in of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Murree Road at Liaquat Bagh entered its 10th consecutive day.

The disruption in travel caused significant difficulties for the commuters as the traffic between Rawalpindi and Islamabad remained halted. The government and private employees working in Islamabad faced problems while using Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road and the old Airport Road. These roads, crucial for access to Islamabad, are now heavily congested due to the traffic diversion caused by the closure of Liaquat Bagh.

The Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road, already burdened by heavy vehicles transporting goods to Rawalpindi bazaars, has become particularly problematic for motorists.

Rizwan Butt, a resident of Iqbal Road, said the traffic situation was a result of the government’s failure, adding closure of a section of road at Liaquat Bagh created problems for office goers to reach Saddar.

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He said that the traffic police inadequately planned alternative routes, and that the situation remained dire despite the government having spent millions of rupees on the traffic system. With private schools reopening in a majority of areas in the city for summer camps, traffic volumes have surged in the afternoon. Government schools remain closed.

Meanwhile, JI activists staging the sit-in at Liaquat Bagh held a public meeting in the evening in connection with Kashmir Exploitation Day, as announced by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

Speaking on the occasion, the JI emir said that Prime Minister and Chief Ministers should use 1300cc cars as people would not be able to pay taxes for their luxury lifestyles.

“The ruling elite is imposing taxes on salaried class while failing to expand the tax net to those who are not paying a single penny,” he said.

He repeated his demand to make public the agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as they were faulty and caused huge losses to the national exchequer. He demanded of the government to immediately abolish taxes on flour, sugar and stationery, and provide relief to the masses.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2024