ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Islamabad Police may resort to use of force soon against the participants of the sit-in orchestrated by Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool and Sunni Tehreek at Faizabad Interchange, aiming at to seek resignation of the Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid.
It has been six days since the two religious parties staged a sit-in at Faizabad Interchange which connects Rawalpindi with the Federal Capital, causing enormous problems for commuters and people belonging to all walks of life.
Sources said that there is a possibility of police action to disperse the sit-in (dharna) protestors in next one or two days. They said that the police action can be violent and protestors can spill to the other parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) including police and rangers heavily armed and equipped were deputed all around Kashmir Highway and Islamabad Highway on early Monday.
The protest-turned-sit-in began days after a controversy erupted regarding the Finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nabuwat) Clause in the newly enacted Elections Act 2017. Though the issue was settled after the Parliament amended the act but religious parties particularly Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool and Sunni Tehreek demanded the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
The sit-in led to the closure of major roads of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, resulting in massive traffic jams in alternative routes. People especially those who have to travel to Islamabad from Rawalpindi on daily basis like employees and students have since been suffering a lot.
Likewise, people including diplomats now find it difficult to reach Benazir Bhutto International Airport as Kashmir Highway leading towards the airport remains blocked due to the sit-in.
Separately, the Metro Bus Service also continues to remain closed while Internet and Mobile Services also remain shut in areas adjoining Faisalabad Interchange.
So far the federal government as well as the mainstream media had been silent on the fresh Capital-besieged like situation but the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal finally broke his silence on Sunday and expressed hope that the government would soon be able to convince the protesters to end their sit-in.
The interior minister said that the government hadn’t resorted to any action so far because it didn’t want to invite any untoward situation especially when processions of Chehlum were being taken out in twin Cities.
Ahsan Iqbal said that though anyone had the right to register his protest but bringing the public life to a standstill by blocking roads could never be allowed.
However, Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool while constituting its five-member committee for dialogue with the government set the condition of law minister’s resignation for the initiation of any talks.
