PESHAWAR: The never-ending series of bomb attacks has not only disrupted the normal life in the provincial capital, but also changed the city to a heavily barricaded fortress, with walls, check-posts, sand bags and barbed wires. Every now and then rumours of attack force the authorities to block the entry to certain areas, panicking the distressed residents.
On Friday Saddar bazaar was sealed following reports of terrorist attacks in the area, while previously the entry of vehicles had been banned to the famed Qissa Khawni Bazaar on such reports. The street is closed for entry of vehicles with barbed wires at its entry point from Khyber Bazaar in front of Khan Raziq Shaheed Police Station and also from Mohammad Ali Jauhar Road and Misgaran Bazaar on its eastern end.
The narrow lane of Kabari Bazaar, a scene of bomb attack earlier in May this year, has also blocked with steel barriers to check the entry of motorcycles. A similar situation could be seen in the Koochi Bazaar, which starts at the end of Mohammad Ali Jauhar and runs through Meena Bazaar, Shaheen Bazaar and other narrow streets of the city.
In addition, the roped-off portions of the roads in every nook and coroner of the city and its bazaars have also deprived the city of its traditional openness and hospitality.
Following the recent deadly attacks several such blockades have emerged in the Cantonment area, which has been the prime target of terrorists.
Check-posts were set up near Khyber House on Bara Road and on the Mall in front of Peshawar Club and also State Life Building, which has been protected with sandbags on all its sides in addition to a checkpoint on the Mall. A road linking the Mall and Bara Road near Stadium Chowk has been closed and a wall constructed following the deadly attacks.
While on Warsak Road Fata Secretariat is one of such fortified structures, which has been fortified with sand bags and barriers, in addition to barriers and checkpoints on this route.
A similar situation could be seen in front of MPA Hostel on Sher Shah Suri Road near central jail, where a picket is being constructed at the gate, while at some distance barricades have been placed on the main road to protect the newly constructed office of the Governor House.
Similarly, vehicles entry to Liaqat Bazaar and adjacent markets has been restricted with steel bars and chains. Every bomb blast and terrorist attack not only blights a certain part of the city, but also adds to the blighting of the city’s landscape with new barriers, walls, diversions, sand bags and barbed wires. However, there has been no end to this misery, as terrorism again starts to bleed the city after a brief lull and this has become a fait accompli with no possible end in sight for around three million citizens of this city.
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