RAWALPINDI:
After a prolonged 92-day summer break, all public and private schools, academies, and colleges reopened across the district on Monday, leading to traffic chaos in the city.
Despite schools resuming at 7:30am, no traffic wardens were deployed outside major institutions in the morning.
Wardens arrived at their posts between 8am and 9am, by which time the traffic had already eased on its own. Similar gridlocks were witnessed outside colleges and universities during afternoon closing hours.
Traffic congestion was reported on major routes, including Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Sixth Road, and Sadar.
Parents also faced another shock as transporters sharply increased pick-and-drop charges by Rs500 to Rs1,500 per child, citing higher fuel costs.
Many families have now started dropping and picking up their children themselves.
Drivers Muhammad Tufail and Asghar Abbasi defended the hike, saying rising fuel prices and inflation left them no choice.
Teachers reported that attendance was low on the first day, with most students engaged in greetings and casual conversations. Schools also handed out fee challans with increased charges effective September 1.
