Faizabad businesses face forced closure

Security has been tightened at Faizabad, a key entry and exit point between the twin cities, ahead of a possible Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march and protest, with hotels, restaurants, hostels, guest houses and transport terminals being ordered to close. Police sources said hotels located in the Faizabad area were being closed, while restaurants and other businesses had been directed to cease operations by evening. Guest houses and transport terminals have reportedly been ordered to close from tonight, while hostels in Faizabad and adjoining areas have been directed to vacate by night. According to sources, police have also sought affidavits from owners of hotels, restaurants, hostels and other commercial buildings, requiring them to submit the documents to the relevant police stations and undertake that their premises have been completely vacated. Police sources said action had also been ordered against owners who failed to submit the affidavits by the stipulated deadline. The measures are being taken as part of security arrangements in view of the possible PTI protest and long march. Faizabad is a major junction connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad and is also a significant commercial and transport hub. Thousands of people travel between the two cities through the area every day, while inter-district and inter-provincial public transport is an important part of its economy. The area has bus and wagon terminals as well as hotels, restaurants, hostels, guest houses, general stores, tea stalls, workshops, tyre shops and numerous other businesses. Economic activity continues around the clock, with the livelihoods of thousands of people directly or indirectly linked to transport and passenger movement. In the past, closures of the Faizabad Interchange and transport activities have caused difficulties for residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, passengers, traders and particularly daily-wage workers. As Faizabad is one of the main links between the two cities, a prolonged closure could affect adjoining roads and commercial areas beyond the immediate locality. Transporters, drivers, conductors, hotel and restaurant workers, rickshaw and taxi drivers, vendors, labourers and other daily-wage earners are among those likely to be affected by the suspension of business activities. Business representatives said even a one-day complete shutdown could deprive daily-wage workers of their income, while losses could increase if the restrictions continued for several days. Shakil Abbasi, a transporter who operates a bus service between Faizabad and Faisalabad, said the impact of a vehicle remaining idle was not limited to the transport company, as drivers, conductors, booking staff and their families were also affected. He said passengers often had advance bookings and the sudden closure of a terminal created difficulties in refunding fares and rearranging vehicle schedules.