Chaos in Pakistan: Political party protest disrupts traffic, triggers shortages, raises tensions
by Ekta ChaubeyThe Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) convoy, led by Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, reached Toll Plaza as clashes between PTI workers and police escalated in Pakistan.
The incident took place at Chungi No 26 in Islamabad on November 25.
Visuals showed numerous vehicles passing through the toll plaza, with people gathered there offering flowers to the vehicles. Meanwhile, a sizable crowd on the other side was chanting slogans and waving flags.
According to reports, several PTI supporters have been detained by security forces. The movement of the convoy has caused widespread disruptions, with the PTI’s call for protest bringing life in the federal capital to a halt.
Major entry points into Islamabad, such as Faizabad, Ninth Avenue, Srinagar Highway, and Murree Road, have been blocked off with containers, resulting in severe traffic jams. The Islamabad Expressway is closed at Faizabad, allowing only limited traffic, and the Metro bus service has been suspended for three days. The closures have made it difficult for residents to move around the city, with motorcyclists resorting to footpaths and vehicles driving against traffic in frustration.
Additionally, the disruption of supply chains has led to shortages of essential items like vegetables and fruits. Reports from affected areas reveal sharp price increases, with some taking advantage of the crisis. The escalating clashes and road blockages have intensified frustrations, contributing to the already tense atmosphere in the capital.