Rawalpindi’s people were neither afraid or panicky among the tensions between Pakistan and India. Rallies supporting the Pakistan Army were witnessed accompanied by a regular stretch of activities.
As usual, government and commercial offices, banks, markets and stores stayed open in the garrison city while people swarmed markets and other locations. Shops on Moti Bazaar, College Road, Jamia Masjid and surrounding bazaars carried on as usual.
Though local transportation was running several paths, traffic was less than on other days.
Less traffic in the morning and afternoon stemmed mostly from the holiday proclaimed in educational institutions. Normal business, however, was seen in both public and private sectors.
In garrison city, government, commercial, banking, and market remained open.
Apart from this, the PSL match went as planned and extra arrangements were made near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The market in Shamsabad shuttered before the game began, while tents were constructed before the Faizabad market and petrol stations.
On Wednesday, the Punjab government asked the deputy commissioners of every 36 district of the province to revoke the leaves of government officials; hence, no leave would be issued in view of the emergency circumstances.
Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema then instructed government departments in the district to guarantee cent percent attendance in government offices and implement safety precautions.
According to Civil Defence Officer Talib Hussain, the Department had placed 38 warning stations and triggered sirens at sixteen different sites.
While combat and rescue practical training has begun for 3,500 volunteers in Rawalpindi area, female volunteers have begun their first-ever combat and rescue training.
While combat and rescue training will also start at Denis Higher Secondary School, he said training drills were being carried out on the grounds of the Cantonment police station,Mission School Raja Bazaar, and the Civil Defence Head Office..
Concurrently, several political and religious groups as well as social organizations planned marches and demonstrations of sympathy.
Rising cries of Pakistan Zindabad and Pak Army Zindabad, the demonstrators carried national flags in their hands.
Likewise, an emergency conference of the governing body headed by General Secretary Asad Mahmood Malik and District Bar Association Rawalpindi President Sardar Manzar Bashir harshly denounced the attack on Pakistan’s civilian population by India.
This time, the national songs, national anthems, Takbeer and Pak Army Zindabad shouts permeated the bar’s atmosphere all day.
In same vein, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company ( RWMC) planned a sizable solidarity march to denounce Indian aggression and show relentless support for the Pakistan Armed Forces, the country’s protectors.
Chief Executive Officer RWMC Rana Sajid Safdar led the march, which attracted hundreds of corporate workers in addition to Municipal Labour Union leaders.
Beginning from the corporate offices on Iran Road and ending at sixth road, the participants carried national flags and banners bearing slogans in favor of the armed forces.
As many demonstrations were staged in the federal capital, Islamabad’s citizens denounced Indian aggression and declared unflinching support for the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), including Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, members of the National Assembly Khurram Nawaz and Anjum Aqeel Khan and former deputy mayor Syed Zeeshan Naqvi, also organized rallies from their areas and gathered at Aabpara Chowk.
Speaking on the event, they praised the military forces for counterattacks and downing of India’s five jets while denouncing the attack of Indians on civilians.
The whole country, they claimed, supported the armed forces. Milli Muslim League also organized a march beginning at Zero Point and finishing at the National Press Club.
Leading former minister J. Salik, the Christian community also assembled outside the press club to show their support for the military troops. Indian attackers targeted people and forces responded in time, they added.
Saying that the armed forces had provided a suitable response to Indian forces, the protestors yelled shouts against India and in favor of the armed forces, so ensuring that the sacrifices of people would not go to waste.
The National University of Modern Languages ( Numl) coordinated a solidarity walk to denounce the recent Indian assault and show support for the courageous armed troops concurrently.
