The dual cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained underneath partial lockdown for the second consecutive day on Saturday as authorities tightened safety in anticipation of a protest by the hardline Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) group, Daybreak reported.
Based on stories from Daybreak, the federal government deployed over 1,200 paramilitary personnel throughout Punjab to stop the protest march, which started from Lahore through the Grand Trunk (GT) Highway, from reaching the capital.
This comes after protestors turned violent Friday evening, resulting in clashes with police in Lahore.
Based on Daybreak, the march dubbed the “Gaza March” by the group was launched after Friday prayers from the social gathering’s headquarters on Multan Highway in Lahore. The procession, led by TLP chief Saad Rizvi, drew hundreds of supporters, many chanting spiritual slogans and carrying sticks, rods, and bricks.
The Islamabad Police stated a number of instances had been registered in opposition to TLP supporters for holding rallies at completely different areas in violation of restrictions. Round 90 protesters had been arrested from Tarnol and one other 54 from Kati Pahari, officers stated, as per Daybreak.
The Tarnol case was filed after about 300 folks carrying TLP flags and banners gathered close to the Tarnol Railway Crossing, chanting slogans and calling on others to hitch the protest. When the group refused to disperse, police used drive and seized sound methods.
In a separate incident, round 120 TLP supporters reportedly arrived at Kati Pahari from Taxila, armed with batons, salt and slingshots. Police launched a crackdown because the group ready to march in direction of Faizabad, resulting in extra arrests.
Officers stated round 110 Frontier Corps personnel had been despatched to Lahore and one other contingent was deployed in Gujrat to help native police in blocking the TLP march.
In the meantime, Islamabad remained largely lower off from the remainder of the nation. Main entry and exit factors, in addition to inner routes, had been sealed utilizing round 500 transport containers. The lockdown disrupted day by day life and important provides, together with milk, greens, poultry, and groceries.
Merchants reported that many dairy and poultry retailers had run out of inventory, whereas vegetable costs surged as a consequence of provide chain blockages. They expressed hope that the federal government would reopen key routes by Sunday to keep away from additional shortages.
Police officers stated some blockades had been lifted on Saturday evening to ease public inconvenience. Roads resulting in the airport, Zero Level, Srinagar Freeway, Murree Highway (Bara Kahu exit), and Expressway (Koral aspect) had been reopened.
Regardless of the excessive alert, no main TLP demonstrations had been reported in Rawalpindi or Islamabad by means of Saturday, and the scenario remained largely peaceable.
Nevertheless, residents continued to face difficulties as a consequence of restricted motion and provide shortages.