ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The federal government has called in army for help in quelling protests in Islamabad where the sit-in protesters at Faizabad retaliated to law enforcement agencies (LEAs) operation with pelting stones at security forces.
The government’s move to call in Pakistan army in the Federal Capital came when the government-initiated crackdown on religion parties’ activists at Faizabad backed fire, resulting in Countrywide protests and violent incidents. The enraged protesters also attacked the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.
However, the story of calling army personnel in Islamabad is yet to be confirmed by the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), a media wing of Pakistan army.
The Faizabad Operation has now been halted, and the law enforcers have requested the Interior Ministry to grant them more power, as according to them, mere having the authority of using tear gas won’t help them deal with a large number of stone-pelting protesters.
The Islamabad administration backed by around 8,000 police, Rangers and Frontiers Constabulary (FC) initiated the Operation on Saturday morning against sit-in protesters at Faizabad. Initially the law enforcers succeeded to some extent as they encircled the protesters, uprooted their tents and apprehended many of them.
However suddenly things started slipping away as protests pelted stones at security forces, killing one of police men and injuring many more. They also burnt a couple of vehicles as well at Faizabad Interchange.
In the meantime, protests also erupted in other Cities as well against the Faizabad Operation. People blocked various roads and even resorted to violence against PML-N leaders and media persons.
In Rawalpindi, the protesters attempted to enter former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s house located near Faizabad and damaged the main gate.
Separately, protesters also broke into the house of the Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid in Pasrur. However, the minister was not present at his residence.
Likewise, the PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif was also attacked in Sheikhupura and received head injury as he tried to pacify the infuriated protesters.
The protesters also set a Samaa’s Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) ablaze in Islamabad, and also attacked Geo and AbbTakk DSNGs.
The media persons and DSNGs, according to reports, were also attacked in other Cities as well.
While anticipating that the situation might turn even more violent, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) ordered all News Channels to refrain from carrying the Live Coverage of Countrywide protests especially the Faizabad Operation.
Reportedly in some parts of the Country, social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have also been blocked.
