Islamabad, Aug 22: Protests and a cricket match caused traffic difficulties in Islamabad and Rawalpindi; important routes were closed, and Metro Bus service was halted.
The twin towns of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been placed under a traffic alert due to tomorrow’s scheduled cricket match and planned protest. The Islamabad police have already put in place a number of measures, such as closing important thoroughfares, to protect the public and efficiently control traffic.
The most recent information is that containers have been positioned to block traffic at Express Chowk (near D-Chowk) and NADRA Chowk, causing them to be closed off. Reports have also surfaced of the placement of containers close to the Marriot Hotel, suggesting more possible traffic closures in the area.
Tomorrow near Tarnol Chowk on Peshawar Road, around 4 PM, there will be a public meeting (jalsa) organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Unless the gathering is canceled, there is a good chance that more containers will be placed in the vicinity by this evening.
Despite the fact that all roads are currently open, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the event has already been canceled. On the other hand, containers have been seen at the sides of the roads near Taxila and 26 Number, indicating possible disruptions. Rallies that leave Peshawar after 12 PM are also anticipated to result in significant traffic on the GT Road and the Motorway.
In other developments, a high-profile court hearing in the Supreme Court is scheduled for tomorrow, and rallies are expected to converge in the Red Zone area by 8 AM, further complicating traffic conditions.
Metro Bus service will be suspended between Saddar and Pak Secretariat stations in both cities, further worsening the expected traffic congestion.
All other routes will stay open, but until September 3, 2024, there will be temporary traffic closures caused by the movements of the Bangladeshi cricket team. It is recommended that commuters arrange their travel schedules appropriately to prevent needless pauses and disruptions.
