ISLAMABAD: The government has summoned paramilitary forces and personnel of other law enforcement agencies to Islamabad to stop the march on the capital by the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
The capital administration and police have been provided 500 personnel of Rangers while a contingent of 1,000 Frontier Constabulary (FC) officials will join them on Saturday (today). The ongoing wave of protests for the third consecutive day has severely affected the traffic system in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The main thoroughfares connecting to Faizabad Interchange and other adjoining roads have been blocked by the authorities as the local chapter of the banned outfit is prepared to host a sit-in, claiming that party activists will arrive by Monday.
According to reports, the capital administration approached the interior ministry for the deployment Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel. A contingent of Rangers, comprising 500 personnel, is being provided while 1,000 FC personnel is expected to arrive on Saturday (today).
The security personnel are being deployed in and around Red Zone and the Faizabad Interchange while a contingent of 200 police personnel each was deployed at the entry points in Tarnol, Bhara Kahu, and Rawat. Moreover, 1,400 police personnel were deployed at different locations including Faizabad and Red Zone.
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Police have been issued directives to arrest all TLP leaders and activists and use force against the banned outfit if it attempts to enter Islamabad. Police have arrested 50 leaders, activists, and workers in Islamabad and lodged them in different police stations.
The government has also decided to seal all districts and roads falling on the route of the TLP march from Lahore to Islamabad. The majority of the local leadership of the banned outfit is in Lahore while most of the remaining leaders and activists present in the capital have reportedly gone into hiding.
The authorities have moved containers to Islamabad ahead of the TLP march to the federal capital. All bus stations in Faizabad have been sealed and the traffic system has been badly disturbed in Faizabad and its adjoining roads.
Since yesterday, the Metro Bus Service has been partially suspended in the twin cities. The direction of traffic coming towards Rawalpindi from Islamabad via Faizabad Interchange has been diverted to the Islamabad Highway.
The traffic flow heading to D-Chowk and NADRA Chowk has also been provided a substitute route. For exit and entry in the Red Zone, the authorities have provided a route from NADRA and Ayub chowk. The traffic going to Islamabad Highway from IJP Road has been diverted to Faisal Avenue.
Lahore has also witnessed the worst traffic jams due to different road blockades and diversions. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has suspended the Internet and mobile service in the areas where the TLP is holding its protests for the third consecutive day.
