LAHORE: With the end of the deadline given by far-right Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan on Thursday, the party’s activists took to the streets in various cities across the country, blocking main arteries and entry and exit points.
Major disruption to public order was reported from Lahore where the party’s leader Khadim Rizvi and a small group of activists had been staging a sit-in for almost a week in front of Data Darbar shrine.
Road block demonstrations were also reported from Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin and Peshawar.
The National Highway, which connects the country’s two largest cities of Karachi and Lahore and several cities of Punjab province, was blocked at Pakka Meel, Chuhang, Mohlanwal, and Pattoki interchanges. In Lahore, the district administration suspended the Metro Bus Service with the onset of demonstrations following Rizvi’s call to his activists made at around 4pm in the evening. Major blockades were reported from Thokar Niaz Baig and Shahdara, from where inter-city traffic arriving from the motorway and the GT Road enters Lahore.
Long queues of vehicles caused severe inconvenience to commuters, sporadic incidents of scuffles were also reported between disgruntled commuters and activists of the extremist religious organisation. Law enforcement agencies were reportedly present at the scene but they refrained from stepping in.
In Peshawar, the protesters demonstrated at Jameel Chowk. Long queues of traffic were formed on the Ring Road, as commuters were forced to use alternate routes.
In the federal capital of Islamabad, security was beefed up in view of the emergent situation in Lahore. A heavy contingent of law enforcement agencies was deployed at the entry and exit points of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A joint flag-march of the army and LEAs was also held in the capital. Reports were received from Sahiwal about a blockade of the Lahore-Multan motorway at Chichawatni bypass, and near View Hotel at Lahore-Sahiwal bypass. Demonstrations and sit-ins were also reported in Mian Channu and Kabirwala on the National Highway. In Hyderabad, TLP workers blocked Hyder Chowk, while the party’s spokesperson in Karachi were quoted in media reports that they were planning to march from Numaish Chowrangi to the Karachi Press Club.
Meanwhile, an advisory meeting was held in Lahore where Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif monitored the emergent situation and was briefed on the security situation. The meeting was also attended by provincial law minister, the spokesperson of the Punjab government, the chief secretary, and officials from different law enforcement agencies. The TLP has been pressing the government for the implementation of the controversial Faizabad agreement, brokered by the army last year. The 11-point Faizabad agreement includes provisions like the release of arrested TLP workers and withdrawal of cases against them.
ALERT
According to reports, TLP has finalised the following protest plan.
1-T-Chowk, intersection between Expressway & GT road Rawat.
2-Sohan bridge, Islamabad
3-Liaqat bagh, Rawalpindi.
4-Motorway Chowk, Islamabad.
5-Tarnol Chowk.
6-Taxila Main GT Road.
7-Hassan Abdaal, GT Road.
8- Hazara Road, Thatoo Attock.
9-Fateh Jhang Chowk.
10-Katcheri Chowk, Rawalpindi.
11- M2-enterance from Lahore to Islamabad blocked.
Published in Daily Times, April 13th 2018.
