Need for safe, comfortable footpaths

None can deny the importance of safe and comfortable footpaths for pedestrians in Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi’s streets vibrate with life. From schoolchildren navigating morning traffic to elderly citizens heading to the mosque, the city’s pavements are arteries of daily activity. Yet, for many pedestrians, walking through Rawalpindi is more of a challenge than a convenience.

“Across major areas like Saddar, Commercial Market, and Raja Bazaar, what should be safe pedestrian zones are often encroached by illegal stalls, broken tiles, open drains, and motorcyclists who treat footpaths as extensions of the road. The lack of clear, well-maintained walkways forces citizens onto busy roads, putting their safety at constant risk,” says Aqrab Ali.

“Walking here feels like a daily gamble. You’re dodging bikes, trying not to twist your ankle in a crack and constantly looking over your shoulder for speeding rickshaws,” says Farah Ali, a university student who commutes through Committee Chowk,” says Danial Haider.

“This is not just an inconvenience; it is a public safety issue. According to data from the Rescue 1122 and local hospitals, a significant number of road accidents in Rawalpindi involve pedestrians, many of whom were forced to walk on roads due to unusable footpaths,” says Gayyur Abbas.

“Despite various development projects in recent years, pedestrian infrastructure has been largely overlooked. Even new underpasses and roads rarely include dedicated, accessible walkways. Urban planning experts argue that this reflects a car-centric mindset, one that neglects the reality that a large portion of the city’s population either walks or uses public transport,” says Gulfam Ali.

“The city is expanding rapidly, but our mindset is stuck in the past. Pedestrian accessibility often feels like an afterthought. Focus on Raja Bazaar, Saddar, Commercial Market, Murree Road, and near educational institutions and hospitals. Pedestrian-friendly design is not just about comfort, it is about human dignity and safety,” says Amina Batool.

“Efforts by civil society groups have tried to draw attention to the issue. Local NGOs have conducted walkability audits, organized awareness walks, and submitted petitions for dedicated pedestrian zones. Some small victories have been won, pavement repairs along Murree Road, new zebra crossings near schools, but these remain isolated efforts,” says Adeem Hussain.

“What Rawalpindi needs is a city-wide pedestrian mobility plan. This means reclaiming sidewalks from encroachers, enforcing regulations to prevent motorbike use on footpaths, ensuring ramps and tactile paving for the disabled and elderly, prioritizing footpaths in all new urban development projects, and introducing shaded walkways to cope with extreme weather,” says Muhammad Mateen Haider.

Karamat Hussain says, “The transformation will not happen overnight. However, by listening to the everyday struggles of its pedestrians, Rawalpindi can begin to build a city that does not just move but moves safely, and for everyone. Until then, its citizens will keep walking, carefully.”