Traffic congestion in the city persisted on Monday as the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) sit-in on Murree Road at Liaquat Bagh reached its 10th consecutive day.
The prolonged disruption significantly impacted commuters, causing a halt in traffic between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Government and private employees traveling to Islamabad faced difficulties navigating Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road and the old Airport Road, both of which have become heavily congested due to traffic diversions from the Liaquat Bagh closure.
Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road, already strained by heavy vehicles delivering goods to Rawalpindi bazaars, has become especially problematic for drivers.
Rizwan Butt, a resident of Iqbal Road, attributed the traffic issues to the government’s mismanagement. He noted that the road closure at Liaquat Bagh has hindered office workers’ access to Saddar. Butt criticized the traffic police for poor planning of alternative routes and expressed frustration over the government’s expenditure on the traffic system without tangible improvements. The situation has been exacerbated by the reopening of private schools for summer camps, which has increased traffic volumes in the afternoon, while government schools remain closed.
Meanwhile, JI activists at the Liaquat Bagh sit-in held a public meeting in the evening to observe Kashmir Exploitation Day, as announced by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.
During the meeting, the JI emir criticized the ruling elite for their luxurious lifestyles, suggesting that Prime Minister and Chief Ministers should use 1300cc cars since many people struggle to pay taxes. He accused the government of imposing taxes on the salaried class while neglecting to expand the tax net to include those who do not pay any taxes.
He reiterated his demand for transparency regarding agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), claiming they were flawed and led to significant losses for the national treasury. The JI emir also called for the immediate abolition of taxes on flour, sugar, and stationery to provide relief to the public.