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       RAWALPINDI: Commuters, shoppers and pedestrians have been facing traffic congestion in the garrison city, especially on Murree Road and its link arteries, since Saturday.

       The city roads were packed with vehicles and the traffic police said the rush was caused as people thronged markets following the security clampdown for the recent PTI protest.

       City Traffic Police had to issue an advisory for commuters and asked them to avoid unnecessary travel and take alternative routes, if possible.

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       On Saturday, there was a gridlock on the busiest Murree Road, Raja Bazar, Gawalmandi, Rawal Road and its link arteries. Almost the same situation was witnessed on Sunday.

       Hundreds of commuters were stuck in traffic, making it difficult even for pedestrians and shoppers to cross the roads.

       A woman shopper said: “It is a massive waste of time to come to the market as I have been stuck on Murree Road for half an hour.”

       Many citizens said the traffic police performance was only visible on social media and the ground situation was quite the opposite.

       A university professor said the district administration and traffic police had often claimed of clearing roads from encroachments to ensure smooth flow of traffic, but their claims have always been belied.

       A traveler, Aftab, said he was planning to visit his old friend on Sunday but after observing the traffic congestion on roads, he preferred staying at home.

       On Sunday, the traffic police in a statement said there was no space left in the parking plaza in Raja Bazar and visitors to the area should park their vehicles on a proper place instead of the main roads.

       It also claimed that 23 senior traffic wardens, 47 wardens and assistant traffic wardens had been managing traffic in the city in line with the CTO’s directives.

       Since maintenance work on footpaths in Dhoke Syedan to Tench Bhatta was underway and debris being removed, the flow of traffic was slow. However, the statement claimed that wardens were busy in managing the traffic.

       Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024