Rawalpindi Traders Protest Against RCB's Pedestrian Zone and Parking Fees

Business leaders in Rawalpindi are protesting the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board's plans to make Bank Road pedestrian-only and impose tiered parking fees, arguing these measures harm local commerce. The Anjuman-e-Tajran announced a press conference, expressing concern over decisions made without proper consultation with local traders.

On Thursday, the business community in Rawalpindi vociferously protested against the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board's decision to transform Bank Road into a pedestrian-only zone and impose a tiered parking fee system at Potohar Parking-1. The Anjuman-e-Tajran, representing the business community, slammed these decisions as 'anti-business,' alleging they severely undermine local commerce.

As per Dawn's reports, the tiered parking system mandates a charge of PKR 50 for the initial hour followed by PKR 100 for subsequent hours at Potohar Parking-1. These measures coincide with an expansive PKR 830 million project aimed at underground cabling and enhancing the Saddar Commercial area, impacting several key roads.

The escalating tensions have prompted businesspeople to threaten a shutdown of shops and to surrender their keys to the board. Zafar Qadri, General Secretary of Anjuman-e-Tajran, condemned the lack of involvement of the project's steering committee, emphasizing the detrimental impact on local traders. Meanwhile, RCB's Assistant Secretary Rashid Saqib defended the phased road closures, stating that a pedestrian zone proposal will be subject to further review.

(With inputs from agencies.)