Rawalpindi:The walk-only street at Bank Road in Saddar Bazaar has been widely appreciated by visitors for transforming one of Rawalpindi’s busiest commercial hubs into a more accessible and family-friendly space. The initiative taken by the Cantonment Board Rawalpindi (CBR) aims to promote walkability, cultural engagement, and a vibrant street-life experience for citizens.
On Sundays, the pedestrian road becomes especially vibrant with book vendors displaying a wide range of second-hand and new books along the street. Readers of all ages can be seen browsing through stacks in search of their favorite titles, adding a cultural charm to the area.
In addition to books, the road hosts numerous food kiosks offering burgers, pizza, ice cream, snacks, desserts, and other edibles, making it a popular spot for families and young people. The availability of clean executive washrooms has further enhanced the overall convenience for visitors.
It has been an year since this walking street was inaugurated, however, despite these positive developments, a serious concern has emerged regarding the lack of prayer facilities for women. During prayer times, women visitors face difficulty in offering Salah as there is no designated space available for them in the nearby mosque. Women have pointed out that they were denied entry to the women’s section because it was occupied by men offering prayers, leaving female visitors with no option to pray.
Visitors also pointed out that while Wuzu (ablution) facilities are available at the executive washrooms only and not in the mosque for women, they are left confused and disappointed upon reaching the mosque only to find that they are not allowed to enter during prayer times. This lack of accessibility forces many women to cut short their visit or leave the area altogether.
Citizens have urged the concerned authorities, particularly the Cantonment Board Rawalpindi, to address this oversight. Providing a proper and accessible prayer space for women is essential, especially in a public space designed to encourage families and women to visit and spend time comfortably.
