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On the opening day of Ramazan, Rawalpindi descended into traffic mayhem and price shock, leaving citizens grappling with mismanagement and inflation, as reported by The Express Tribune.
According to The Express Tribune, the city's traffic system virtually collapsed during school rush hours in the morning and again in the crucial pre-iftar period between 4 pm and 6 pm. Key arteries, particularly Murree Road from Marir Chowk to Chandni Chowk, were clogged, with vehicles inching forward at a snail's pace. The congestion extended across major commercial and residential zones, including Raja Bazaar, Ganjmandi Road, Liaquat Road, City Saddar Road and several densely populated marketplaces. Areas packed with temporary iftar stalls selling food items became severe choke points, leaving barely enough room for vehicles to pass. Many families reportedly had to break their fast while stranded in traffic. Frustrated commuters alleged that traffic wardens focused more on penalising motorcyclists than managing the flow of vehicles. Citizens claimed that even minor violations resulted in fines of Rs 2,000, with motorcycles briefly confiscated, actions they said worsened congestion instead of easing it. However, a Traffic Police spokesperson stated that officials had worked diligently to maintain order throughout the day, as cited by The Express Tribune. Meanwhile, the economic burden added to public distress. The first iftar of Ramazan was marked by sharp price hikes in fruits and vegetables. Bananas were sold at Rs 300 per dozen, while kinnow and oranges fetched between Rs 350 and Rs 400 per dozen. Apples ranged from Rs 250 to Rs 400 per kilogram, strawberries soared to Rs 1,000 per kilogram, and grapes and pomegranates were priced at Rs 700 and Rs 750 per kilogram, respectively. Residents described the sudden surge as an "inflation bomb," saying that the holy month began under the shadow of administrative inefficiency and mounting financial strain, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)
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