ISLAMABAD  – Problems of the oldest and busiest business centers including Aabpara, Melody and Karachi Company markets are increasing day-by-day turning them into ugly looking places. These markets are facing countless problems due to rising encroachments, poor sewerage system, dangling uncovered electricity wires and lack of parking facilities.
The encroached pavements have made it hard for visitors to walk through the corridors of these markets while the dangling wires pose threat to life, property of traders and shoppers.
The civic authorities have so far taken no steps to redress the problems these markets situated in the heart of the capital, and only a few yards away from their offices. A number of visitors criticised the authorities for not taking any action against the shopkeepers, who have encroached upon the corridors and footpaths.
The shoppers also complained about difficulty being faced by pedestrians to cross Suhrawardi Road, in front of Aabpara market.
They said it was difficult task for the pedestrians to cross this road due to the heavy traffic.
Meanwhile, most of the bus stands in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which are roofless and are mostly occupied by vendors, neither provide shelter to the passengers in rain nor offer any shade under the scorching sun.
Braving sunlight or rain, commuters have to wait for their buses while the authorities concerned seem ignorant towards their daily ordeal. The situation is particularly problematic at the Karachi Company, Pir Wadhai and Faizabad bus terminals and bus stands along the IJ Principal Road and Murree Road. Commuters of the twin cities have expressed their serious concerns over the poor condition of general bus stands.