
Iftar traffic jams negate tall claims of police
Unlike the tradition of yore, office workers in the metropolis rarely get to enjoy Iftar at home with family. Commuters stuck on the dug-up University Road are waiting for the siren to announce the end of the fast in the slow moving traffic. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express
Like his predecessors, the new DIG Traffic, Pir Muhammad Shah, has also failed to alleviate the suffering of citizens due to severe traffic jams before iftar.
The indifference and lack of interest of the traffic cops on Rashid Minhas Road has forced citizens to endure the worst traffic jam. Long queues of vehicles were seen on the track from Millennium Mall to Nipa Flyover, while the driver of an Edhi ambulance was also helpless, repeatedly blowing the emergency siren.
Citizens stuck in the worst traffic jam said that senior traffic police officers only make claims about controlling traffic through statements, but the ground realities are different.
"It's already 6pm, and looking at the long queues of vehicles, it seems like we will have to break our fast on the road," said a commuter.
Citizens have to endure a torturous journey every day due to the worst traffic jam, but the claims of traffic police officers about smooth traffic flow remain unchanged.
At the start of Ramazan, traffic police made loud claims about maintaining traffic flow, but to what extent they have been successful can be gauged by looking at the long queues of vehicles on Rashid Minhas Road before iftar.
On Tuesday evening, long queues of vehicles were also seen on Sharea Faisal at the Drig Road underpass, severely affecting traffic flow. Similarly, vehicles were stuck in traffic jams on the Korangi Causeway track.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Nawaz leaves for London on special plane
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday left for London on a special plane. According to family sources, the PML-N president will celebrate Eidul Azha with his sons in the United Kingdom during the two-week visit and will also get his medical examination conducted during the stay. Nawaz is visiting London after seven months. The former PM was scheduled to spend his Ramazan in Saudi Arabia but had cancelled the trip on his doctors' advice. The PML-N chief remained in London from October 2019 to October 2023 in what could be described as a self-imposed exile. Upon his return to the country after formation of a PML-N led coalition government Nawaz was acquitted of the charges of corruption.


Express Tribune
31-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Financial woes leave migrant workers stranded
Scores of migrant workers, due to economic problems and low income, could not travel to their native areas this year to celebrate Eid with their loved ones, labourers sitting on the roadside in Gizri told The Express Tribune during a survey. Labourers, like mason, carpenter and painter, sit with the tools of their trade, along Gizri Avenue, a hub of paint, hardware, electrical and plumbing wares. Many workers said they will spend the Eid days relaxing in rented communal houses or camps. Many migrant workers will try to save enough money so that they can celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with their families in their native areas. Riaz Malik, a labourer residing in Musa Colony, shared that he works as a mason on a daily wage basis and has been living in Karachi for the past ten years to support his family. Every year, he used to travel to his hometown in Multan, to celebrate Eid. However, this time, work opportunities during Ramazan were reduced by almost 40 percent. The Rs10,000 he had saved were sent home so that his parents, wife, and two children could buy Eid clothes. Now, he does not have the financial means to afford a round-trip fare, along with additional expenses, to visit home. Therefore, he will celebrate Eid in Karachi with two of his fellow workers. He expressed his disappointment, saying, "Eid is not the same for us. Eid is meant to be celebrated with family." Rozi Khan, a worker at a tea stall in Keamari, stated that his hometown is Pishin, Balochistan. He has three children, a wife, and parents. He explained that he works as a tea maker at a hotel, and during Ramazan, his working hours were eight hours a day, earning a daily wage of Rs1,000. He sent Rs15,000 home and now does not have enough money to travel to Pishin. "Our Eid will be spent working at the hotel. Wages are doubled during Eid holidays, and we also receive extra pay for additional work. I will try to visit home for Eid-ul-Adha," he said. Attaullah, a shoemaker in Liaquatabad, shared that he hailed from Bajaur. He has five children, a wife, and parents. Economic struggles and limited income have added to the difficulties of migrant labourers. Those working in Karachi have to bear the costs of accommodation, food, laundry, and other expenses. Whatever money is left, they save and send home. He mentioned that over the past four months, he managed to send home Rs20,000, which allowed his family to make minimal Eid purchases. However, now, he cannot afford to travel back to his hometown. "Travel fares are expensive during Eid, and in addition to that, I would need at least Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 to spend the holidays at home in order to meet expenses.


Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Pindiites skip sleep for Sehri nights
As the holy month of Ramazan is continuing with religious zeal, the city of Rawalpindi has transformed into a vibrant hub of activity before the break of dawn. The tradition of Sehri, a pre-dawn meal eaten before fasting begins, has brought residents together in a celebration of food, faith, and community. In the quiet hours of the morning, the streets of Rawalpindi come alive with the tantalising aromas of traditional Sehri delicacies. From steaming plates of nihari and haleem to the sweet, syrupy flavours of falooda and parathas, the city's food vendors and restaurants offer a diverse array of options to satisfy the cravings of Sehri enthusiasts. Sabir Khan, a local resident, says, "I love the energy in Rawalpindi during Sehri, the streets are filled with people, and the smell of food is amazing." "Sehri is a special time for them, it's when we come together as a family and share a meal before the day's fast begins," he adds. "Whether you are a longtime resident or just visiting, experiencing Sehri in Rawalpindi is a unique and unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Ramadan in Pakistan, he stated. Another resident Kiran is of the view that Sehri is a time for spiritual reflection and rejuvenation, it's a blessing to be able to share it with our community.