All political activities and election campaign have become standstill after the murder of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi. In Sialkot district, the election halls, established by the candidates contesting on five National and 11 provincial assembly seats, were presenting almost a deserted look.
The heart of the city, Chowk Allama Iqbal, was tastefully decorated with multi-colour huge banners and posters of different candidates, belonging to various political parties, was now presenting shocking picture as the banners and posters were set on fire by the unruly PPP workers during past two days.
It was very shocking that no local PPP leader tried to stop the party workers from hooliganism. Besides, the PPP workers also damaged different private, government buildings and houses as well as banks and damaged ATMs on Paris and Kutchary roads.
"It was very unfortunate that we have lost tolerance and national spirit as a whole nation and preferred to damage national assets at all cost," said an aged citizen.
"What type of politics is this"? he asked. He said the of political leaders to inculcate among their supporters and part workers the national spirit and ask the their respective party workers to refrain from hooliganism.
The timely efforts of our worthy political leaders would certainly help in controlling their party workers in minimising the incidents of looting and damaging the national assets, thus causing financial losses to the national exchequer, he added.
Meanwhile, people are facing serious hardships because all city petrol pumps, medical stores, shopping centres, commercial markets, banks and restaurants remained closed. The inter-city transport and rickshaws, wagons and pickups plying within the city also remained off the roads.
The journalist community has appealed to the high-ups of Telecommunication Authority to take immediate and appropriate steps to ensure Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) internet service to its subscribers.