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ISLAMABAD: Law enforcement agencies will remain on alert and mobile phones services will be suspended in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) have announced to march to the federal capital today.
The authorities have decided to suspend cellular services over the anticipated protests while the route from Liaquat Bagh to Faizabad will be cordoned off and containers have been placed at various intersections.
After days of protests in Lahore, the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) announced on Thursday that it will start a long march towards Islamabad on Friday.
A statement by the group said the “peaceful Namoos-i-Risalat march of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan towards Islamabad will start after Friday prayers from the TLP’s markaz (headquarters)”. It warned of an alternative plan if they were stopped from marching.
TLP workers have staged a sit-in in Lahore to exert pressure on the Punjab government for the release of its chief Saad Rizvi who has been kept in detention since April 12.
Prior to announcing the long march, the TLP’s Majlis-i-Shura (executive council) had deplored that they have been protesting in the streets for the past 15 days, yet their demand for the implementation of an agreement reached between them and the government remained unmet.
The agreement required the government to expel the French ambassador over the publication of blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and present the matter in parliament before April 20.
An earlier agreement had said the government would reach a consensus in parliament regarding the expulsion of the French ambassador within three months and would release all the arrested TLP activist and not register any case against them.
The group has also claimed that scores of its members have been detained by the police during the ongoing protests. The crackdown was launched after a meeting chaired by Inspector General Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan on Monday against the TLP for creating a law and order situation.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Thursday the government would not take action against any group, whether it is the TLP or Pakistan Democratic Movement, if they protested within the law. He added that accepting the TLP’s demand of expelling the French ambassador would lead to the severing of ties with the entire European Union.
The TLP had taken out a massive rally on 12th Rabiul Awwal (Tuesday), where senior leaders accusedthe government of using delay tactics in releasing Saad Rizvi. The TLP had also given an ultimatum to the government to fulfil the agreement between them, or it would announce another plan of action.
