Uncertainty prevails despite lifting of curfew in Pindi

Daily Times

Life in the garrison city started limping back to normalcy on Monday, while activists of a sectarian outfit remained on their toes to protest against the tragedy that took place a few days ago.

However, the law enforcement agencies aided by the Pakistan Army put the situation under control by dispersing the activists gathered at the famous Liaquat Bagh to stage a sit-in. Situation in some parts of the city remained tense on Monday following the lifting of curfew, which was imposed after a clash between members of the Sunni and Shia communities on Friday that left at least nine people dead. Shops in the city’s Raja Bazaar, Gwalmandi and Murree Road areas remained closed. Moreover, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Rawalpindi postponed the examinations that were scheduled for Monday. Meanwhile, markets in Sadiqabad, Shamsabad, Commercial Market and Saddar opened partially, while people thronged the shops and other retail outlets to buy essential commodities. It should be mentioned that most of the people were stranded in their houses without water and food after the sectarian clash on the 10th of Muharram. According to details, parts of the violence-hit garrison city partially opened despite fear and uncertainty where shoppers and commuters resumed their chores after four days of tensions in the region. However, most parts of Rawalpindi remained under military control, though curfew was lifted on Sunday night. After days of tension and curfew, people took the risk of taking their vehicles on roads, while shopkeepers were seen cleaning up their shops after four days of closure. A large number of employees were on their way to offices, while schools and colleges remained closed in Rawalpindi as well as in some parts of Islamabad. “We are relaxed after almost a week, as the clash during a Muharram procession and the subsequent curfew had adversely affected our routine life. No vehicle was on the road,” said Zohran Shah, a shopkeeper in the Commercial Market. “I hope the situation remains normal now so that we don’t have to face such problems again,” he added. “It’s really very tough to be at home for more than five days, that too without mobile phone services. Thank God the mobile services have resumed,” said Imran Qalandar, a student from Sadiqabad.