Pakistan, June 25 -- ISLAMABAD - The newly built Jinnah Square in Islamabad, once hailed by the government as a symbol of rapid development, has turned into a lightning rod for criticism after a portion of the road collapsed during the season's first monsoon rain.

Constructed in just 84 days at a cost of Rs4.2 billion, the project had been celebrated for its speed and modern design. But this week, a major portion near Serena Chowk, specifically the loop connecting G-5 to Aabpara, caved in, bringing traffic to a standstill and drawing heavy public outrage.

"This is a cruel joke on taxpayers," a frustrated commuter said. "If it can't withstand a single spell of rain, it shows dangerous negligence." The incident has also triggered concerns...