Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A rally for defiant show of power by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after the Supreme Court decision in the Panama Papers case has paralysed routine life in the twin cities, as the roads linking the garrison city to the federal capital were blocked at different points.

A large number of people reached D-Chowk on Wednesday morning, but the rally started when former prime minister Nawaz Sharif reached the spot, leaving the Punjab House.

The rally led by the ousted premier – after passing Jinnah Avenue and Express Highway – entered Rawalpindi at Faizabad via Murree Road. The participants of the rally were moving at a slow pace and covered a distance of few kilometres in hours.

A large number of welcoming camps were organised by the local leaders of the ruling party on regular intervals. The party workers gave a warm welcome to their leader and showered rose petals.

A large number of PML-N workers had converged at various points to welcome their leader. The supporters had gathered at Zero Point, I-8 Interchange, Faizabad, Shamsabad, Chandani Chowk, Committee Chowk, Kutchery Chowk, Sowan and Rawat.

Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, former MNA Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Rawalpindi Mayor Sardar Muhammad Naseem, Inspector General of Punjab Police Arif Nawaz and City Police Officer Israr Ahmed Abbasi visited different points on Murree Road to check security arrangements.

According to sources, around 1,000 vehicles are with the rally and some 5,000 supporters accompanying the ‘homecoming’ rally.

However, life of the people living in the twin cities remained paralysed. The Jinnah Avenue remained closed for all kinds of traffic from D-Chowk to Stock Exchange, while Express Highway was also closed from Khyber Plaza Chowk to Khanna Pul.

The traffic police had also advised people – travelling to or coming from the Blue Area – to use Service Road, Fazal Haq Road and Nazim-ud-Din Road.

The traffic coming from Karal Chowk moved towards Rawal Dam Chowk via Khanna Pul, Lehtrar Road and Tramri Chowk.

The Murree Road was closed from Rawal Dam Chowk to Faizabad, while the traffic from Faisal Avenue to Rawalpindi was diverted to pass through Margalla Road and Ninth Avenue.

Citing security concerns, the Punjab government had instructed the owners of businesses located along the rally’s route to close their respective offices, shops, restaurants and other establishments ahead of the rally ’till further orders’.

The district administration of Rawalpindi also closed several link roads leading to the main GT Road and restricted the movement of citizens to avoid any untoward incident. Moreover, heavy traffic was also restrained outside the city and was not allowed to enter.

As per the plan, Nawaz was suppose to leave Rawalpindi on Wednesday, but in the evening it was decided that he will stay in the Punjab House Rawalpindi for a night and leave for Lahore today (Thursday).

Published in Daily Times, August 10^th 2017.