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Express Tribune
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Selfies at Gawalmandi, silence elsewhere
With the pre-monsoon season underway, the district administration has once again designated the Gawalmandi Bridge — a high and secure vantage point — as the central monitoring site for flood damage caused by the 22-kilometre-long Nullah Leh and 15 tributary stormwater drains. Despite severe urban flooding on Wednesday that submerged 70pc of the city's Cantonment areas and major markets — such as Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, and others — under 2 to 3 feet of water, no senior officials visited the affected neighbourhoods. Instead, key figures including the commissioner, deputy commissioner, RDA director general, WASA MD, and other officials arrived at Gawalmandi Bridge after the rain had stopped, took selfies, gave brief statements about drainage efforts, and left in vehicles. This location has unofficially become a "photo-op point" for flood assessment. The bridge is cleaned and freshly painted before each high-profile visit, and nearby traffic is halted during these inspections. Unlike other vulnerable bridges over Nullah Leh, which officials avoid due to potential public backlash, Gawalmandi Bridge remains the preferred spot due to its security and easy access. Sources indicate that all federal and provincial ministers, MPs, and department heads will be brought to this same site during the monsoon season. Even if Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visits Rawalpindi for flood assessment, she is expected to be taken to this bridge. Local civic groups, including the Citizen Action Committee, have strongly criticised the practice. Chairman Malik Zaheer Awan has demanded that officials visit flood-affected areas and announce immediate relief of Rs100,000 per victim. District Bar Association President Sardar Manzar Bashir also condemned the symbolic monitoring from Gawalmandi, calling it inadequate for understanding the full extent of the disaster. Citizen Action Committee warned of a mass protest at Gawalmandi Bridge if this "selfie drama" does not end.
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Easter joy lights up twin cities
The Christian community will celebrate Easter today (Sunday) with religious zeal, devotion, and reverence. On Saturday night, Easter Eve was marked with enthusiastic preparations as Christian families flocked to shopping centres across the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Busy commercial areas such as Saddar, Gakkhar Plaza, Murree Road, Moti Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Tench Bhatta Bazaar, Commercial Market, Aabpara, Super Market, Jinnah Super, and Karachi Company witnessed a shopping rush from morning till 1am. Families, especially children, shopped for garments, shoes, and artificial jewellery. Shopkeepers had decorated their stores with colourful lights to mark the occasion. Recreational parks in both cities have been scheduled to remain open from 9am to 1am on both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Special arrangements have been made for activities like dodging cars, horse riding, boating in the lakes, and the chairlift at Patriata has also been opened for the public. Vigil services were held in churches across the cities, with security beefed up to ensure safety. Over 5,000 security personnel have been deployed, and all church entrances are equipped with walk-through gates and CCTV cameras. Worship services will take place from 9am to 12pm today. Christian leaders Rashid Chauhan and Pastor Asif expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements, stating that the community will fully cooperate with the administration and police. In their Easter messages, former PPP Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Punjab Assembly member Nargis Faiz Malik, and People's Secretariat In-charge Syed Sibtul Haider Bukhari extended heartfelt greetings to the Christian community. Nayyar Bukhari emphasised the community's continued role in national development, saying, "Their joy is our joy." MPA Nargis Faiz Malik urged the Christian community to pray for the nation's peace and prosperity during Easter. Syed Sibtul Haider Bukhari praised the Christian community in the twin cities for standing shoulder to shoulder with their Muslim brothers and said the celebrations of Good Friday and Easter are shared by all.
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Twin cities abuzzwith Ramazan prep
As the holy month of Ramazan nears, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are bustling with preparations. Markets, mosques, and community centres are witnessing increased activity as residents stock up on essentials for the 30-day fasting period. Shopping centers in Islamabad are experiencing a surge in customers, with discounts and promotions on Ramazan-related items. In Rawalpindi, popular markets like Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, and Saddar are packed with people purchasing dates, fruits, and other necessities for sehri and iftar. The city administrations have also geared up to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities. The district administrations have set up price control committees to monitor prices of essential items. Meanwhile, mosques and community centers are being decorated and renovated to accommodate the large number of worshippers during Taraweeh prayers. A resident of Islamabad, Maria Khan, while expressing her eagerness for Ramazan said residents are gearing up to welcome Ramazan with renewed faith, devotion, and a sense of community. "The city is taking on a festive look, and the excitement is palpable, and I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family and friends during iftar and Taraweeh prayers." Another resident Qadir Rehman said "I have been shopping for new clothes and accessories for Ramazan and the markets are offering great deals. I am excited to try out some new recipes this Ramazan."
