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Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Six new underpasses, flyovers on cards
Six new underpass and flyover projects have been included in Rawalpindi district's development plan for the fiscal year 202526. According to sources, funds have been formally allocated for feasibility studies and PC-1 documentation. Some of these projects will be entirely signal-free and will feature modern, state-of-the-art beautification, to be overseen by the Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment boards as well as the Parks and Horticulture Authority. Once completed, the projects are expected to make 90 per cent of traffic flow through cantonment areas signal-free. The Race Course Underpass is estimated to cost Rs2.6 billion, with Rs94 million earmarked for its initial phase. The Jinnah Park Flyover has a projected cost of Rs4.15 billion, and Rs149 million have been allocated for preparatory work. The Amar Chowk Flyover will cost Rs3.45 billion, with Rs124 million set aside. Chairing Cross Underpass is estimated at Rs1.5 billion, with Rs54 million allocated. The proposed cost for the Fauji Qabristan Chowk (Peshawar Road) Underpass is Rs1.9 billion, with Rs68 million reserved. The largest and most congested project, the District Kutchery Chowk Underpass and Road Widening, is projected at Rs4.45 billion, with Rs160 million allocated for its initial phase. The Iftikhar Janjua Road Underpass is estimated at Rs1.93 billion, with Rs69 million allocated. The District Bar Association has raised strong objections to the Kutchery Chowk project. Bar Secretary Malik Asad Mehmood warned of resistance if lawyers' chambers are dismantled. He urged the administration to share the project plans and consult with the bar before moving forward. The project also affects buildings belonging to the Civil Defence Department, Ministry of Local Government, and Police Department, along with boundary walls of Fatima Jinnah Women University and the Income Tax Office. Due to disputes between government departments and the District Bar, this state-of-the-art project has remained stalled for the past five years, leading to steadily rising costs. MNA Engineer Qamarul Islam, convener of the District Development Committee, stated that the new fiscal year will mark a major development phase for Rawalpindi. He added that work on all the approved projects will begin within three to five months and will be completed and functional by June 30, 2026. Daducha Dam feasibility The contract for preparing the PC-II feasibility study for the Daducha Dam project has been awarded. Once completed, the project will supply Rawalpindi with an additional 35 million gallons of water per day, significantly addressing the city's water shortage. According to the sources, consulting firm Usmani & Co. has been awarded the contract at a cost of Rs42.8 million. The firm is tasked with determining the project's total cost and land acquisition requirements within six months, said the sources, adding that Rs48 million were allocated for the feasibility study, but out of three bidding firms, Usmani & Co.'s bid of Rs42.8 million was accepted. WASA Managing Director, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, said that the Daducha Dam is a very important project that will significantly enhance Rawalpindi's water supply.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Public anger grows over increased traffic fines
The city traffic police (CTP) have significantly increased fines for traffic violations, prompting widespread public anger and frustration across the city. Citizens complain that the government has turned traffic tickets into a steady source of revenue, with formal revenue targets now reportedly being assigned for traffic challans. New fines include Rs2,000 for not wearing a helmet, Rs2,000 to Rs5,000 for illegal parking, Rs500 for entering a no-entry zone, Rs2,000 for carrying three people on a motorcycle, Rs5,000 for wearing a plastic helmet, Rs1,000 for violating traffic signals, Rs2,000 for driving the wrong way, and Rs2,000 for driving without a license. Meanwhile, citizens argue that many city roads are in disrepair, riddled with potholes, yet no authority is held accountable. Faulty traffic signals go unattended, roads are dug up and left unrepaired, political banners and flex signs clutter the streets, footpaths are encroached upon, and many areas lack street lighting at night. Prolonged traffic jams are a daily occurrence. Residents have strongly condemned the harsh fine structure, claiming it treats citizens as criminals whose only role is to pay penalties. "It feels like we exist just to be fined," one citizen lamented. Malik Asad Mehmood, the general secretary of the District Bar Association, criticised the system, saying: "The maximum fine should not exceed Rs500. For motorcyclists, it should be Rs200 to Rs300."
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Mass protests condemn Gaza brutality, urge Muslim unity
Five major protest rallies were held across Rawalpindi to Israel's ongoing military aggression against Palestine, its brutal campaign in Gaza, and attacks on women and children, with protesters urging Muslim leaders for real and tangible actions, a complete boycott of Israeli products and an urgent Islamic Summit Conference on the burning issue. Demonstrators burned Israeli flags and effigies of Israeli leaders, bringing traffic to a complete standstill across key parts of the city. Protesters carried placards and banners condemning Israeli atrocities and raised slogans not only against Israel but also against its allies. Calls were made for the Muslim Ummah to unite and take decisive action against Israeli aggression. Friday was observed as a Black Day in protest of Israel's actions. During Friday sermons, religious leaders and scholars highlighted the Palestinian issue and prayed for the success of the besieged, unarmed Palestinian people. The rallies were organised by various groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), local shopkeepers' associations, Jamiat Ahle Sunnat, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), and the Railway Workers' Union. The demonstrations were held at major points including Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, Railway Station, and Saddar. The District Bar Association (DBA) also staged a protest rally against the atrocities in Gaza. A large number of female lawyers participated, and an effigy of an Israeli official was burned. The rally ended in a sit-in at Kachehri Chowk, completely blocking all adjoining roads and intersections, with even senior government officials' vehicles stuck in traffic. For over an hour, lawyers chanted slogans demanding action. The rally was led by Bar President Sardar Manzar Bashir and Secretary Malik Asad Mehmood, with speeches from other leaders including Taufiq Asif and Madam Tasleem Abbasi. Speakers condemned Israeli oppression, urging Muslim leaders worldwide to move beyond mere verbal condemnation and take real, tangible actions. They called for a complete boycott of Israeli products and demanded an urgent Islamic Summit Conference to issue a united and firm message from the Muslim world. After the gathering, a large procession marched from Quaid-e-Azam Hall to Kachehri Chowk, carrying banners and placards with strong anti-Israel slogans. A separate "Down with Israel" protest rally was held by Sunni Tehreek, during which protestors burned an Israeli flag printed with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's image on Murree Road. Addressing the crowd, Sunni Tehreek's scholar Allama Saeed Akhtar Siddiqui said that the Muslim Ummah had awakened and that the dream of a "Greater Israel" would never be realised.
