Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The federal capital resonated by the slogans of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday evening whereas twin cities became paralysed due to excessive traffic pressure on major roads leading towards the Fatima Jinnah Park, Islamabad.

The masses poured out from various parts of the country on Sunday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of PTI in the federal capital, which caused the major roads of capital overwhelmed by the private and public transport. The people coming from outside the city used the Islamabad Expressway and Kashmir Highway whereas the residents of Rawalpindi reached in Fatima Jinnah Park by using Murree Road.

The twin cities become paralysed as all the major roads were fully crowded with motorcycles, vans, buses and cars having party anthems on loud tune and covered with party flags. The people using Islamabad Expressway in routine days faced traffic jam for hours whereas the people coming from Peshawar and other parts of the KP used the Kashmir Highway to enter in the federal capital. Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) was deployed at all main roads to beckon ‘Caravans’ toward venue and to prevent them entering the other parts of the capital city.

The people residing in surroundings of Fatima Jinnah Park got constrained at their homes as all the roads and streets were being used for car parking of PTI workers and no one could come out of home because of too much rush in the area. The vendors of different spices summoned at roads and outside the park but on other side the traders observed silence as customers got fettered at homes due to closed roads near park.

The PTI workers begun to enter the park little before the twilight and fully prepared participants were having red and green caps with PTI title upon them. The enthusiasm and fondness for party was apparent and crystal clear from painted faces and raiment of activists. Moreover, to enhance and boost up the ecstasy, energy and zeal, Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi and Junoon Band put over crowded park under spell of their voice by singing national and party songs.

To entertain and provide refreshment to the mob coming from outside the federal capital and long-traveled workers, numerous stalls of eatables were also organised at the venue, which caused profit earning business for local vendors of eatables.

While talking to the Daily Times the Insaf Youth Wing KP President Sajjad Khan said, “The people of our province reached here in a large number as they felt that KP has become changed and only Imran Khan would bring peace and prosperity in the country”. He further said, “The attachment of youth with Imran Khan is well known but now the elders, women and other age groups have also joined PTI”.

A special documentary on the accomplishments and achievements of PTI’s chief was also presented in the anniversary to pay tribute to his two decades long political career and social services for the nation.

Although, the security arrangements were made fool proof but due to the overcrowded venue, several incidents of disruptions were also observed as a number of PTI workers climbed up on park trees whereas an event of manhandling was also happened when PTI management team stormed their own workers by sticks to avoid an untoward incident because some activists were trying to jump barricades placed to protect the main stage.

The main leadership including the PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahngir Tareen, Pervez Khattak and a large number of PTI parliamentarians were present on the stage. Imran Khan once again lambasted on the corruption of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and other ruling elite whereas he also announced to hold a huge gathering at Charing Cross in Lahore on next Sunday.

At the end of public gathering at Fatima Jinnah Park, the participants were dispersed peacefully whereas a large number of PTI workers headed towards the restaurants of the federal capital to fill their hunger. A traffic jam was also observed at the exit points of Islamabad including T-Chowk on the junction of GT Road, Islamabad Express Highway and at the end of Kashmir Highway near Golra Morr.