Police–TLP clashes cripple life across Lahore and Islamabad.
Heavy-duty containers and Interlocking barbed wire barricade that blocked major city roads, stranding residents in traffic for a few hours.
LAHORE:
Lahore was virtually brought to a standstill after police blocked all major entry and exit points to prevent workers of the Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan from making their way to Islamabad for their announced “Al Aqsa March.”
The city’s main arteries, including Multan Road, Band Road, and Chauburji, were choked with containers, barbed wire, and heavy police deployment from the early morning, leaving residents stranded for hours on Friday.
Police and Rangers were in control of major intersections, compelling commuters to abandon vehicles or take long detours through narrow residential lanes.
No online intercity bus services and other transport services due to non-availability and closure of some feeder routes of the Lahore Metro due to the blockade.
Clashes broke out when the workers of the TLP gathered near the party headquarters at Chowk Yateem Khana and then tried to break the police barricades which led them to baton charge the workers and fire tear gas shells to disperse them.
All around the police, barricades were dismantled and stones were hurled. Witnesses described the scene of chaos in the surrounding neighborhoods where tear gas shells had floated into residential streets and kept the locals inside.
The TLP alleged that three of its activists had been killed and dozens inflicted with injuries in what it labeled “state violence” since late night on Wednesday. Party leaders pledged to continue the march “irrespective of bullets or barricades.”
But police officials rejected the claim of the use of lethal military force, asserting that the police were equipped only with anti-riot gear. The Punjab Police reported the injuring of 13 law enforcement officers, including one who was taken to a nearby hospital.
Not only Lahore, the lockdown extended to all cities of Punjab including Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad, where police were carrying out pre-emptive raids detaining the TLP workers mobilizing for the march. Section 144 was clamped down in various districts prohibiting all public assemblies and processions.
Police sources did affirm that there have been dozens of workers who had been arrested at night to “prevent organized disruption”. The GT Road and other major roads in various cities within Punjab were blocked under traffic by using containers.
While the clash of protesters and police was the most talked about issue, the common man understood its repercussions. Several schools in Lahore localities sent students home early, while private colleges deferred examinations due to ‘security risk’.
Markets along the route of the protests remained shut, and traders claimed that they had lost a large amount of money with absolutely no customers coming to their stores. A number of ambulances too had to be stopped at blockades, inviting the wrath of civil society for indiscriminately sealing the civilian routes.
Residents of Samanabad, Chauburji, and nearby areas have found it difficult to return to their homes as police blocked the streets while they also kept on checking the identities of residents. “It felt like a curfew without any announcement,” said a local shopkeeper who, due to the tear gas shelling ongoing nearby, had closed his store by midday.
Notwithstanding the situation’s worsening, the TLP leadership has yet to make any official communication about negotiation talks with either the provincial or federal government. Officials claim that any procession heading to Islamabad without permission would be “blocked and contained”.
The government had spokespersons to claim that the TLP was using Gaza as a cover for their otherwise disruptive activities, but the TLP has responded with the statement that their motive to exercise the constitutional right to demonstrate was cited in its justification. Meanwhile, Lahore holds its breath, key roads are still barricaded, protests continue to be called.
Meanwhile, residents fear that even more unpredictable days lie ahead. Juncture resulting from this standoff between negotiation and confrontation is yet to be seen, but one thing was made abundantly clear by Friday’s events: Punjab’s political realm is once again in transition, and its largest city has become embroiled in this transition.
Islamabad :
The religiopolitcal party held an anti-Israel demonstration outside the US Embassy in the federal capital today (Friday).
Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement on Thursday with Israeli captives to be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in first phase in line with United States Donald Trump’s 20-boint initiative to end the war in Gaza. Islamabad has touted Trump’s plan as an “historic opportunity” for lasting peace in the Middle East
Major road closures
To stifle activists’ movement to the Al-Quds March set to begin in Lahore and Islamabad, authorities have sealed critical highways.
From Abdul Hakim toll plaza to Lahore-M3 Motorway (Multan−Lahore) is closed.
From Pindi Bhattian to the Islamabad-M2 Motorway (Lahore−Islamabad) is closed.
From Mian Channu toll plaza to Lahore-N-5 National Highway (Multan−Lahore) is closed.
Containers have been placed at Faizabad Interchange to bar entrance into Islamabad from Rawalpindi. However, police and law enforcement remain alert as further closings may take place in the hours to prevent TLP supporters from mobilizing.
More than 37 unactivity points in the city are blocked with containers, trailers, and barricades. Public and private schools along Multan Road were instructed to shut, while universities in the twin cities were closed down. Ambulances that passed through were met with jam after jam with blockade in Rawat, T-Chowk, and motorway.
As many as 6,000 officers and personnel are deployed duty in Rawalpindi with charge to Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani. SP-ranking officers and above are armed; the rest with tear gas guns, rubber bullets, twelve-bore shotguns, informed police.
Police are working at Kalma Chowk, Rahimabad, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Sawan Pul, and Adiala Road. Thirteen Special Police Units and snipers are stationed along Murree Road from Shalimar Chowk to Faizabad.
According to the Road Situation Report, some traffic is permitted in the open stretch at Pindi Cricket Stadium (single line open towards Rawat), Kachakori Chowk, Waris Khan Chowk, Rawal Bridge (single line open in/out), and Naka Gulzar-e-Quaid to Rawalpindi/Islamabad (single line open in/out), Chakri Interchange (open towards Rawalpindi), T-Chowk Rawat, Koral Chowk, and Daulatali Mor on Mandra–Chakwal Road (open towards Rawalpindi). The moment surely presents limited but vital passage between the two urban centers.
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