Police officers stand at a checkpoint on a road leading to the Serena Hotel, as Pakistan prepares to host the United States and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad. PHOTO: REUTERS
MURREE/ISLAMABAD:
Citizens of the federal capital are increasingly expressing anger over police checkpoints and roadblocks installed on almost all major and secondary roads in the city, saying these measures cause serious inconvenience on a daily basis and fail to improve security.
Commuters report long queues, frequent vehicle searches and traffic jams that have turned routine trips into a nightmare. “We are stuck for hours every day,” said a resident of Sector F-8. “Schools, offices and hospitals are all affected. It’s not about security, it’s about harassment.
Public frustration has reached fever pitch after the recent cold-blooded murder of a prominent businessman in Islamabad. According to eyewitnesses and police sources, a group of armed men arrived at his home, opened fire, killed him and injured others, then fled without any resistance.
Despite the existence of a dense network of checkpoints across the city, the attackers reportedly escaped easily. “When criminals want to do something, they come, commit the crime and walk away freely,” one angry resident told local media. “But it’s the law-abiding citizens who are suffering on every corner.” Many point out that heavy internal checkpoints have done little to stop serious crimes, while seriously disrupting normal life.
Residents and business owners began demanding immediate help. A growing number of people are demanding that checkpoints be removed within the city limits and limited to only entry and exit points from Islamabad. “Checkpoints at the main entrances to the city are useful in screening foreigners,” said a member of a local traders association. “But putting barriers on every internal road is unnecessary and counterproductive. It only creates problems for residents and gives criminals time to escape while we are delayed.”
Several social media campaigns and resident welfare groups have started raising the issue, urging the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and police to review their security strategy. Official response expected When contacted, Islamabad police officials defended the checkpoints, saying they were put in place after intelligence reports of possible threats. However, they acknowledged receiving numerous complaints about traffic disruptions and promised to “review the location of some barriers.”
As public discontent grows, the recent killing has become a flashpoint, with many questioning whether the current blanket security approach is actually making the capital safer or simply more chaotic. Other demonstrations and meetings of residents are expected in the coming days if the situation is not resolved.
Traders protest against smart confinement
On the other hand, traders of Murree staged a strong protest against the smart lockdown and closure of markets at 8 p.m., observing a shutdown strike and taking out a rally on Mall Road under the banner of Central Anjuman-e-Tajran Murree.
Addressing the protest, trade leaders including President Sohrab Abbasi, President Mirza Suhail Baig, General Secretary Haji Nisar Abbasi, Senior Vice President Munawar Ameen Abbasi, Vice President Raja Zahid Ismail and Information Secretary Shahid Mumtaz Abbasi termed the decision to close Mall Road and other markets at 8 pm as part of the smart lockdown as unfair. They explained that tourists, after spending the day at various leisure spots, face difficulties when they visit Mall Road at night, only to find it closed.
Due to the strike call, all shops and markets remained closed, paralyzing commercial activity and causing inconvenience to visitors. However, tourists expressed solidarity with traders and demanded that Murree be exempted from smart lockdown restrictions.
Protesting traders said the measures had seriously affected tourism activities and the local economy, which depends entirely on tourism. They added that business and employment opportunities have been severely affected.
The Central Anjuman-e-Tajran Murree has urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to exempt Murree from the smart lockdown considering its importance as a tourist destination.
With an additional contribution from DNA
