Islamabad: Residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi heaved a sigh of relief as normality returned to the capital city on Tuesday following the end of a three-week sit-in at Faizabad due to an agreement between the government and protesters.
The Faizabad Interchange has been finally opened for traffic and the Metrobus service also restored after more than 20 days of protest by the Tehreek-i-Labaik religious group, which called off its protest on Monday after the resignation of the Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
The protest was held at the famous Faizabad crossing — one of the major roads that connects the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and also a major link between Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
It resulted in chaotic traffic jams with cars stretching for kilometres because of shipping containers placed on roads by the police to prevent protesters from entering the main parts of the city. Residents had to use alternative routes where they faced massive traffic jams and waited for hours.
The news of the termination of the protest brought joy to the citizens of the cities, who shared their excitement on social media with photos of the cleared roads.
“We became hostages in our own city as we could not go out due to the security situation. I am so relieved that the protests are finally over” said Saadia Afzal, a resident of Islamabad.
Many residents had missed their flights, trains, offices and schools due to the road closures.
“I was supposed to go to Karachi for an urgent surgery on Saturday morning, just when the protest turned violent. I missed my flight and scheduled operation because of the protest,” said Abida Khan, a teacher who resides in Islamabad. “The closure of TV channels and social media created more chaos as there was no way to get an update on what was happening around the city,” she added.
Markets and bus stations around Faizabad also opened by Monday evening as traders and transporters too called off their strike after hearing the news of the agreement.
Rawalpindi Traders Association spokesperson Naveed Kanwal told media that “We announced the strike call to ensure the safety of our business outlets in the city areas, since there were reports that protesters may damage shops if they remained open on Monday.”
Apart from Faizabad, protesters had also blocked the Soan Bridge over Jhelum Road, as well as Peshawar Road near Tarnol, which were also opened on Monday. The reopening of major city roads such as IJ Principal Road and Murree Road also eased the traffic congestion in other parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Metrobus service resumes
The public transport service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which had been suspended for the last 20 days, also opened on Tuesday.
The Metro Bus Authority (MBA) resumed the operation after getting a green signal from the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, said MBA General Manager Operation Uzair Shah.
The bus service has resumed but the “buses will skip the Faizabad Bus Station for a month to repair the damage caused to the station by the protesters,” he said. All the glass panes, screen doors, elevator, token vending machine and close circuit TV cameras were broken by protestors, according to an initial survey, after which MBA has sent the estimate for the cost of repairs to the Rawalpindi Development Authority.
Schools and colleges reopened
All educational institutions of the capital city resumed classes on Tuesday after the agreement was reached.
The Federal Directorate of Education and Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority had decided to keep the educational institutions closed on Monday for security reasons.
“My kids had to skip school for a few days because of the road blockade and safety issues. Thank God, the protest is over now because my kids’ safety is my top priority,” said Huma Akbar, mother of two and resident of Islamabad.
