The last Sunday before Eid which also marks Chand Raat (Eid's eve) is witnessing overwhelming crowds in commercial centres. Security has been heightened, with the deployment of female security personnel, bicycle patrol squads, and female police commandos in the markets. Rawalpindi's largest women-only shopping hub, Moti Bazaar, has become completely congested due to an overwhelming number of female shoppers.
The movement has become difficult, and incidents of pickpocketing by female thieves have surged 24 women reported their purses stolen in a single day. Police arrested two female pickpockets in connection with the thefts. To control the situation, authorities have banned young men from entering Moti Bazaar after repeated complaints of harassment.
Now, only men accompanying female family memberswives, sisters, or daughtersare allowed access on Saturday and Chand Raat. With Eid just days away, shopping in the twin cities has reached its peak, resulting in massive traffic congestion across commercial hubs. In Rawalpindi, roads leading to Commercial Market, Chandni Chowk, Rehmanabad, Raja Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Bani Chowk, and Moti Bazaar are witnessing severe gridlock, making both vehicle movement and pedestrian access difficult.
Temporary stalls set up by vendors have further clogged market spaces, especially with the closure of Ramazan discount bazaars. Traffic jams are worsening as parking spaces are consumed by motorcycles and cars, leaving no room for pedestrians. W.
