LAHORE: The outlawed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) resumed its march towards the federal capital from Gujranwala after offering Friday prayers near the General Bus Stand of the city.
According to sources, thousands of activists travelling in cars, buses and on foot have resumed their journey towards Islamabad. The participants were served food and blankets by local TLP workers during their stay on Thursday night.
The TLP workers are heading towards Wazirabad via Aziz Cross and it is expected their next stop would be at Wazirabad chowk on the Grand Trunk Road.
Similarly, the security personnel are equipped with riot gear and ready to deal with any law-and-order situation.
It is also learnt that about 500 metres from the Chenab toll plaza near Chenab River, the Punjab Rangers have marked a ‘red line’ and put up a notice nearby warning the protesters not to breach the line or face consequences.
“Attention: Beyond this line, the responsibility for law and order lies with Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), who have been given the authority to open fire at the miscreants. All the people are strictly warned to return to their homes,” the banner installed by the paramilitary force reads.
PM chairs NSC meeting
On the other hand, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to review the security situation of the country in the wake of the TLP long march.
The NSC meeting continued for two hours and was attended by the top civil and military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and intelligence chiefs. Federal ministers Pervez Khattak, Sheikh Rasheed, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Fawad Chauhdry were also present.
Govt engages with outlawed TLP once again
The TLP had entered Gujranwala a day earlier as the government attempted to strike a deal with the group once again with talks in the capital.
The protesters are marching towards Islamabad to press the government not only for the release of TLP leader Saad Rizvi but also for the expulsion of the French envoy from the country. They have been demanding the French envoy’s expulsion over the blasphemous content shared and promoted in the European country that hurt the feelings of millions of Muslims across the world.
On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has made it clear that no such demand of closing an embassy or expelling an ambassador would be accepted.
A TLP spokesperson had confirmed on Thursday that their party chief Saad Rizvi held talks with the government in Islamabad. Mufti Muhammad Umair, Allama Ghulam Abbas Faizi are also present along with Rizvi, he added.
The spokesperson shied away from sharing the location of the talks as it was “secret”.
Internet services suspended in Gujranwala
Internet service remains suspended in Gujranwala and nearby areas. Paramilitary forces and police personnel are standing alert to deal with the protesters in Gujranwala.
Sources in the police have told Bol News that the law enforcement agency has decided to stop the march near Wazirabad as it would give them enough space to deal with the issue.
When asked about the blocking of roads, the officials shared that in Gujranwala not many roads are blocked and assured that the containers have been put up at a couple of points. The protesters have been moving towards Gujranwala city rather peacefully in contrast to what they did yesterday, they added.
Govt says TLP to be dealt as ‘militant’ organisation
On Wednesday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, in their respective press conferences in Islamabad after the cabinet meeting, told the media that the TLP would be treated as a militant organisation. The decision was made as the proscribed outfit has been challenging the writ of the state for the last few years, they said.
Rashid had also announced that the government has called in the Punjab Rangers for at least two months to assist the police in maintaining the law and order situation.