Markets, schools, petrol stations and public transport closed along a five kilometer stretch
Adiala road. Photo: Courtesy — RDA
RAWALPINDI:
Daily life came to a standstill on Adiala Road and its environs after authorities in Rawalpindi imposed the strictest possible measures to block the movement of supporters on the occasion of the “Meeting 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, commercial 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 turned into a no-go zone.
On Tuesday, Adiala Road witnessed a complete shutdown of transport and commercial activity. As shops and markets were forcibly closed, business came to a standstill and traders went on strike. Parents were also worried about the sudden closure of schools; many arrived early in the morning to drop off their children only to find the gates locked and were sent back home. Shops were forced to close at dawn, gas stations were cordoned off with barriers and streets leading to Adiala Road were sealed off with barbed wire.
Traders from Gorakhpur – Faisal Nadeem, Shafqat Aziz and Munawar Ahmed – said their businesses were destroyed because of the Adiala jail. They complained that twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, markets, squares and offices were forcibly sealed. Daily wage workers who come to Adiala Road to seek work were also driven away. “
Public transport from Rawalpindi Saddar to Adiala village and beyond was also halted, forcing vehicles to take a four kilometer detour and charge an extra fifty rupees. This led to disagreements between passengers and conductors during the day. Students and employees traveling from Adiala Road to schools, colleges, universities and workplaces in the city were also barred from using the route. Many citizens were forced to travel an additional four kilometers to reach their destinations, resulting in extensive delays.
The stretch from Dahgal to Gorakhpur along Adiala Road was declared a red zone, with security tightened to the highest level. Adiala prison’s external security was further strengthened. Markets, commercial areas and educational institutions along this section remained completely closed.
A special two-team security plan was implemented under which SHOs from 20 police stations, eight DSPs, two SPs and more than 1,200 personnel were deployed. Six lady inspectors and 48 lady commandos were on duty. Heavy contingents were stationed at Dahgal checkpoint, Gate 1, Gate 5, Factory Mor and Gorakhpur.
