December 27, 2007: Sad day in the history of Pakistan
Exactly 10 years ago on 27th December 2007, I heard the news of the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi on TV, when I was leaving the office around 5.30 pm. I was also doing a part-time job in Daily Times' desk, whose office was located at I. I. Chundrigar road at that time.
First I took the route of Mai Kolachi towards Keamari bridge, but that road was chocked and traffic was being diverted towards PIDC. That road was also blocked by heavy rush. After great difficulty, I reached PIDC and then turned towards Shaheen Complex, where there was no chance to enter into the thoroughfare because the entire road was full of cars coming from the Tower's side. After waiting for a few minutes only one lane for going towards Tower was created and traffic moved at a snail's pace on that lane. It was really a test of my driving.
I had to reach near New Challi area, which took more than half an hour. There was no chance to take a u-turn to the office of the Daily Times. After spending another 15 minutes on the main road, I found a space to take a turn. As people were pelting stones and damaging vehicles, there was an environment of fear on the roads. Luckily, I found a place inside the building for parking of my car.
That night I left the Daily Times office by around 12 midnight when reports of traffic clearance came. At that time the entire rush on main I. I. Chundrigar road was cleared, but street lights were off and the same environment of fear prevailed.
It took another hour or so to reach at home as most of the roads were barren, but some were closed down, especially the Zamzama DHA area, where people from Gizri had burnt vehicles and damaged banks and shops.
I took a detour from Neelam Colony and reached the Khadda Market (DHA- 5) safely. For the next 2 days, the entire area was closed down and at last, Rangers came into the area and markets were opened. At least two vehicles were burnt in my area and a bank (UBL) was also set ablaze by the angry people.
In those days, I had also travelled to Hyderabad and a big line of burnt vehicles was found at the Hyderabad bypass. According to a Dawn report, Pakistan suffered a loss of 2 billion dollars.
Exactly 10 years ago on 27th December 2007, I heard the news of the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi on TV, when I was leaving the office around 5.30 pm. I was also doing a part-time job in Daily Times' desk, whose office was located at I. I. Chundrigar road at that time.
First I took the route of Mai Kolachi towards Keamari bridge, but that road was chocked and traffic was being diverted towards PIDC. That road was also blocked by heavy rush. After great difficulty, I reached PIDC and then turned towards Shaheen Complex, where there was no chance to enter into the thoroughfare because the entire road was full of cars coming from the Tower's side. After waiting for a few minutes only one lane for going towards Tower was created and traffic moved at a snail's pace on that lane. It was really a test of my driving.
I had to reach near New Challi area, which took more than half an hour. There was no chance to take a u-turn to the office of the Daily Times. After spending another 15 minutes on the main road, I found a space to take a turn. As people were pelting stones and damaging vehicles, there was an environment of fear on the roads. Luckily, I found a place inside the building for parking of my car.
That night I left the Daily Times office by around 12 midnight when reports of traffic clearance came. At that time the entire rush on main I. I. Chundrigar road was cleared, but street lights were off and the same environment of fear prevailed.
It took another hour or so to reach at home as most of the roads were barren, but some were closed down, especially the Zamzama DHA area, where people from Gizri had burnt vehicles and damaged banks and shops.
I took a detour from Neelam Colony and reached the Khadda Market (DHA- 5) safely. For the next 2 days, the entire area was closed down and at last, Rangers came into the area and markets were opened. At least two vehicles were burnt in my area and a bank (UBL) was also set ablaze by the angry people.
In those days, I had also travelled to Hyderabad and a big line of burnt vehicles was found at the Hyderabad bypass. According to a Dawn report, Pakistan suffered a loss of 2 billion dollars.
