ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Monday cleared the GT Road and abandoned their long march to Islamabad following the deal with the government, but continued their sit-in in an open ground at Wazirabad.
The development was announced by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, who is the head of the steering committee overseeing the implementation of the accord with the proscribed organisation.
GT ROAD Cleared ! مبارک ہو
TLP Dharna shifted from G.T Road to an open ground in Wazirabad away from traffic as per the agreement.
I appreciate TLP leadership for honouring their commitment & Gov. is already implementing its side of the agreement since last night.
JazakALLAH https://t.co/JRGIPdQoJ4 pic.twitter.com/8cx6KYOnSX— Ali Muhammad Khan (@Ali_MuhammadPTI) November 1, 2021
Taking to Twitter, Ali Muhammad Khan “appreciated” the TLP leadership for honouring their commitment, saying that the government was also implementing its side of the agreement signed yesterday.
A day after reaching an agreement with the government, TLP supporters vacated Grand Trunk (GT) Road and Allah Wala Chowk. However, they pitched tents at a nearby ground, and said they would stage a sit-in until TLP chief Saad Rizvi is released.
Meanwhile, roads leading to the inner city were opened. However, traffic was not restored at the Chenab Toll Plaza where police and Rangers were still deployed and roads leading to Gujrat and Sialkot also remained blocked.
Traffic on GT Road remained suspended and cars and trucks remained stuck, while internet services also continued to be disrupted.
‘The agreement’
On Sunday, an agreement was reached between the TLP and the government to end the protest. Mufti Muneeb, who mediated between the government and the TLP, had termed the accord a “victory for Islam and Pakistan”.
“This agreement is neither a victory nor a defeat of any side. This is a victory for Pakistan, Islam, and the sanctity of human lives. It was reached after sense prevailed over aggression,” he had said while addressing a press conference.
“The delegations held a 12-hour-long meeting to settle the matter between the two sides successfully. It is fortunate that the agreement was reached before the situation got out of hand,” he had added.
Mufti Muneeb further said the agreement had the backing of jailed TLP chief Saad Rizvi. Mufti Umair Al-Azhari, Allama Ghulam Abbas Faizi and Hafiz Hafeez participated in the negotiations from the TLP side, he added.
Refusing to share the contents of the deal, Mufti Muneeb said its details would be made public at an “appropriate time”. He, however, said its ‘positive results’ would be visible to the nation next week or during the next 10 days.
