LAHORE: The government has dug up a trench on GT Road near Gujranwala in response to an announcement by the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) that they will set out on a long march towards Islamabad.
A deep and long pit was dug with the help of excavators and cranes while the roads were also blocked in advance by placing containers. Thus, all paths via road leading to and from Gujranwala were blocked.
Meanwhile, a procession by the banned outfit, the participants of which began marching from Lahore, have reached Sadoke.
Earlier in the day, the government held talks with four members of the banned TLP, Minister for Law Punjab Raja Basharat said.
The law minister’s statement came during a meeting of the committee formed for negotiations which was chaired by Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed.
The law minister informed the committee that in the last three days, the government has spoken to the banned outfit four times.
The banned outfit announced a “peaceful protest” on Friday after jummah prayers to demand the release of their leader Saad Rizvi.
A day earlier, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar announced the government’s decision to form a committee to hold talks with the banned outfit.
“We have formed a committee, consisting of senior members of the Punjab Cabinet Raja Basharat and Chaudhry Zaheeruddin to negotiate with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik,” Buzdar wrote on Twitter.
“According to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PUBH), we all need to work together for peace and harmony in the country,” he added.
Today, at Lahore’s Batti Chowk, clashes between protesters and police continued for a second day, injuring six law enforcement personnel.
Meanwhile, internet services are being restored gradually, the roads in the city are being reopened, however, Orange Line Metro Train is still closed — for four days now.
In Rawalpindi, the stretch from 6th Road to Faizabad remains blocked. Containers have been placed on Murree Road, causing difficulties for commuters.
To keep Islamabad safe from the protests, the Ministry of Interior has summoned an additional force of 30,000 police personnel from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, who will be equipped with anti-riot gear. Notices in this regard have been sent to all three chief secretaries.
Read more: Three policemen martyred, multiple injured in clashes with TLP workers
