Lahore's gridlocks put motorists on trial.

Motorists have been bearing the brunt of roadblocks and gridlocks triggered in various parts of the city owing to a slew of events of the last few days.

The city district administration and traffic police claim to have drawn up a diversion plan to ensure smooth conduct of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 8) matches at Gaddafi Stadium and uninterrupted flow of traffic, citizens have complained about the agonising experience of being stuck on roads. The residents of Gulberg and places close to the stadium in particular find their homes a 'no-go area' as their movement is restricted, thanks to the barriers placed by policemen on roads leading to the stadium.

The impact of road blockades stretches to other parts of the city where motorists and other road users face long queues of vehicles and haphazard traffic. The situation has been exacerbated by blockade of Canal Road and some of the access routes to PTI chairman Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence amid police efforts to arrest him in a case. Fierce clashes between law enforcers and diehard PTI workers have prompted the authorities to restrict public movement on Canal Road and adjacent arteries, which has worsened the traffic situation.

For the last few days, countless vehicles can be seen stuck or moving at a snail's pace on roads. 'One can see wailing ambulances and other vehicles jostle for space...