Curfew-like measures paralyse Rawalpindi, Islamabad

Rawalpindi : A state of confusion and mismanagement by the federal and provincial governments resulted in a near curfew-like situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Sunday. Citizens found themselves effectively under house arrest due to stringent measures taken to pre-empt a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) rally, sparking widespread frustration and criticism.

Helpless residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were confined to their homes without having committed any crime, thanks to the government's poor planning. Questions loomed over how office workers, students, and commuters would navigate their way to workplaces and educational institutions on Monday, as the authorities had sealed the entire Rawalpindi Division. The chaos extended to residents of nearby districts, including Chakwal, Jhelum, and Attock, many of whom commute daily to the twin cities.

Despite the situation, the provincial government had not issued a public holiday notification for Rawalpindi Division at the time of this report. The abrupt closure of local and long-route transport for two consecutive days left residents stranded and worried about how they would resume normal life on Monday. The restrictions led to skyrocketing inflation in the area, with vegetables and essential food supplies stuck in containers at various entry points. Residents faced a famine-like situation, while the authorities remained fixated on thwarting the PTI rally. This mismanagement grossly violated the public's basic right to free movement, intensifying the public's sense of despair.

The deployment of over 5,000 police personnel in Rawalpindi, along with a similar force comprising Islamabad Police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary in the federal capital, turned the cities into virtual fortresses. The closure of major roads and rally entry points disrupted daily life, leaving men, women, and children effectively imprisoned in their own homes. Businesses, schools, universities, marriages, and even medical services came to a standstill. Serious patients struggled to reach hospitals as ambulances were blocked from proceeding. The suspension of the metro bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad compounded the misery, while petrol pumps along Murree Road remained shut.

The heavy-handed approach of the government, ostensibly to maintain security, caused severe hardships for the residents. While PTI supporters may have celebrated their rally, the ordinary citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad bore the brunt of a confused administration’s inability to manage the situation effectively. The chaotic situation underscored the authorities’ lack of preparedness and disregard for the public’s well-being, turning what could have been a routine day into an ordeal for thousands.