Transportation services including railways throughout the Country remain badly affected by the protests erupted three days ago following the Supreme Court’s judgement in Asia Bibi Blasphemy Case (Transportation services in Pakistan).
However, no sign of the situation being normalized has appeared yet. Even after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s appeal to protesters against resorting to violence and warning against colliding with the State, a series of talks were held but they also failed to yield any fruitful results.
Sources said that though now Pakistan Railways Train Service has partially been restored but trains schedule have already been badly affected.
They said that Akbar Express, Shalimar Express, Jaffar Express, Karakoram Express, Awam Express and Karachi Express, have been facing delay. They said that now some of the trains have set off on their journey but no train could leave for Sheikhupura, Faisalabad and Shorkot as yet.
Sources said that a large number of passengers are bound to spend nights at Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore railway stations.
Roads blockage situation in Lahore
If alternative means of transportations are looked at, they have also been suffering a lot. Lahore is probably the most affected City in terms of roads blockage, wherein Ferozepur Road, Chungi Amar Sadhu, Kahna Chowk, Walton Road, Mozang, Sandar, Bhatta Chowk, Imamia Colony, Multan Road Chowk, Bhatta Chowk, Faisal Chowk Mall Road, Pak Meel, Babu Sabu Chowk, Shahkam Chowk, China Chowk, Jail Road, Ghazi Road, GT Road, Township Chowk and Saggian areas are closed for traffic.
Roads blockage situation in Islamabad
Similarly in the Federal Capital, Faizabad Interchange, Islamabad Expressway (Koral to Khanna), Jinnah Avenue (from Kulsoom Plaza to Expressway), Kashmir Highway (adjacent to Aabpara), Aabpara Chowk to Melody, Chand Tara Chowk to Dhokri, Tramri Chowk, and Uthaal Chowk (Bhara Kahu) are closed for traffic.
Therefore there are long queues of vehicles on alternative routes, causing enormous inconvenience for the public.
In addition to that, closure of education institutions and markets since three days and suspension of mobile services have further intensified people’s worries.