Protesters pelt stones at buildings in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh, traffic jams reported in various other cities of Pakistan
news desk
ISLAMABAD
Traffic remains affected in several parts of the country, with ambulances stuck due to the long queues of vehicles that are lined up due to the protests as a religious party held its protest in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and other cities.
In Islamabad, Athal Chowk was closed for traffic, causing problems for citizens. Protests also broke out in Bhara Kahu and roads leading to Murree and Azad Kashmir from the federal capital were also blocked for traffic.
The entry points of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were also closed for traffic, leading to more problems for citizens of both countries. At the Laiquat Bagh Chowk in Rawalpindi, protesters pelted stones at buildings, causing fear and panic in the area.
Large swathes of Lahore were at a standstill after the religious party’s call for protests disrupted local traffic in over 22 points causing massive congestion. The people in Lahore suffer traffic jam and bottlenecks for hours as many major highways and thoroughfares have been blockaded by some protesters staging sit-ins.
Yateem Khana Chowk, Khayaban Chowk, Thokar Niaz Baig, Daroga Wala Chowk, Burki Road, Bhatta Chowk, Walton Road, Canal Road, among other areas remain congested with traffic flow suspended.
The Lahore-Islamabad Motorway has been blocked for the traffic as well. Meanwhile, traffic jams were also reported on the city’s Shahdara Road and on Ferozepur Road near the Shanghai Bridge.
Meanwhile, protests by the religious party caused severe traffic jams in several areas of Karachi. Karachi’s II Chundrigar Road, MA Jinnah Road, and their surrounding areas, including the road connecting Tower to the Governor House, left jam-packed with vehicles. Orangi Town number 4, Baldia number 4, Hub River Road, Liaquatabad, and Korangi were some of the other areas where long queues of vehicles have lined up on roads.
Police reportedly dispersed protesters from Star Gate to allow the flow of traffic to return to normal.
Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, traffic remains jams in Jaranwala, Samundari, Chak Jhumra, among other towns. Similarly, citizens in Hyderabad’s Latifabad are facing a massive traffic jam.
In Khuzdar, the flow of traffic at Quetta-Karachi Road has been affected as well.
Reports of protests from Jhelum, Naushahro Feroze and Multan were also received.
Reacting to the development, Secretary Health Punjab Nabeel Awan said roads were blocked across Lahore, and as a result, there was a delay in medical supplies delivery to government hospitals.
Appealing to the protesters, he urged them to give way to vehicles carrying oxygen cylinders. “The delayed arrival of oxygen cylinders might cost a patient their life,” he said. “Citizens should help the government in the urban roads open for traffic,” he added.
