TWIN CITIES UNDER LOCKDOWN: Price hike and transport chaos add to public woes

Rawalpindi : Prices of essential food items have surged by over 20-25% in just two days, compounding the woes of residents as the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad remain in lockdown due to ongoing protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The closure of all entry and exit points has not only paralysed business activities but also triggered a sharp rise in food prices and transport fares, leaving citizens frustrated.

Chicken meat, which was already being sold at an exorbitant Rs740 per kilogram, saw an alarming increase to Rs870-900 per kilogram in just 48 hours. The steep price hikes weren’t limited to poultry—milk, vegetables, fruits, and other essentials saw dramatic jumps as well. Milkmen hiked the price of loose milk from Rs200 to Rs250 per litre, while butchers raised mutton prices to a staggering Rs3,000 per kilogram and beef to Rs1,600, blaming higher transport costs due to road closures. A survey conducted by The News revealed that the prices of vegetables shot up by 20-25 per cent in just two days. Onions went from Rs160 to Rs200 per kilogram, potatoes from Rs120 to Rs160, and tomatoes were sold at Rs200 per kilogram. Even ginger and garlic, already expensive, saw price hikes, with ginger now at Rs800 per kilogram and garlic at Rs700. Other vegetables like Kaddoo, Karela, Arvi, and Shaljam increased by Rs30 to Rs50 per kilogram.

Fruit prices weren’t spared either. Grapes surged to Rs600 per kilogram from Rs400, apples from Rs150 to Rs250, and bananas doubled to Rs200 per dozen. Transport services were also severely affected. Taxi drivers, rickshaw operators, and private ride services like Cream hiked their fares by over 50 per cent, citing road blockages and the need to take detours. The administration sealed major roads, including link roads leading from Murree Road, further exacerbating the situation.

The lockdown has also affected educational institutions, with both public and private schools remaining closed for a second day, leading to significantly reduced traffic and low attendance at government offices. The Education Department was forced to cancel World Teachers' Day events due to road closures, leaving teachers without recognition for their services. The disruption extended to the judicial system, as prisoners from Adiala Jail could not be presented in court, leading to an empty courthouse area. Courts marked attendance but adjourned hearings without proceedings.

A heavy police presence was deployed at key intersections, but the overall atmosphere remained tense. Many long-route transport services were suspended, forcing passengers to turn to the Rawalpindi Railway Station, which was overwhelmed with people. Public parks, usually bustling with families on weekends, were deserted for two days, as parents opted to stay home due to the poor law and order situation. Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad voiced their frustration, likening the lockdown to a "curfew-like" situation. “The government has taken away our freedom,” one resident told The News. "If this issue isn’t resolved soon, it could lead to unrest," warned another. The ongoing protests and the resultant shutdown have created widespread inconvenience for the public, with rising prices, disrupted transport, and a general sense of chaos. Citizens are calling on the government to resolve the crisis before the situation escalates further.