Workers belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) continued their sit-in in Wazirabad on Saturday waiting for instructions from their leaders regarding the next line of action.
The TLP workers had reached Wazirabad from Gujranwala on Friday and spent the night at the Zafar Ali Khan Bypass which led to the suspension of internet services, traffic and business activities in the city.
According to a report published in Dawn, the next TLP-police encounter was expected at two security points that had been established at Chenab and Jhelum rivers, which is also the only route by which the TLP march can reach Islamabad.
On Friday, the government had deployed hundreds of Rangers and police personnel equipped with armored vehicles and riot gear at the Chenab toll plaza to counter the marchers.
The Punjab Rangers have also put up a red line about 500 metres from the Chenab toll plaza and have put up a notice nearby warning the protesters of adverse consequences incase they breach the line.
The TLP sit-in also caused the suspension of two trains between Karachi and Rawalpindi — Tezgam Express and Pakistan Express on Saturday for both inbound and outbound services. Several other trains also remained suspended during the day.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan consulted a delegation of religious scholars, including Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, to discuss the standoff between the government and TLP .
According to the religious affairs minister, a 12-member committee had been formed for negotiations with the TLP to end the banned organisations march towards Islamabad.
“The committee members are in touch with the government and had been in contact with the TLP leadership as well,” he said, adding that they were expecting “positive” results from the talks.
On Friday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had informed that negotiations were underway between the government and the detained TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi adding that the prime minister will address the nation and explain the narrative of the government regarding the situation.
The interior minister said that four policemen had been martyred in clashes with TLP workers, while more than 80 had been injured..
Security situation in Islamabad:
Meanwhile, security was increased in Islamabad on Friday and senior officials of the capital police considered reinstating all suspended officials to ensure maximum manpower ahead of the proscribed group’s march.
The leaves of all police officials were also cancelled, Dawn reported.
The police are working on different strategies to stop the TLP rally from reaching the capital, the officers said, adding that they were considering establishing defence lines in Rawat, Kak Bridge and Gulberg Green, respectively.
Separate police teams are tracing the TLP’s local leaders, active workers and activists, but all disappeared, they said, adding that all their possible hiding places were raided but no one was found.
