Rawalpindi/Islamabad/Lahore: More key roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been partially opened on Sunday when Tehreek-E-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) protest march continues its progress from Lahore against Islamabad.
While larger routes remain blocked by shipping containers, authorities have begun to facilitate restrictions in selected areas of the twin towns to facilitate commuters.
Mobile Internet services were also partially restored in some parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, authorities say.
Rawalpindi traffic police have issued a new plan for routes. According to RawalPindi traffic police, six of 43 blocked locations in the city are fully opened, while 35 have been partially cleared. Faizabad remains completely closed for the third day in a row.
In Rawalpindi, roads that led to residential areas and adjoining streets off Murree Road were opened for traffic, although large highways, including Murree Road, Faizabad, the motorway and IJP Road, remain closed. The Metro -Bus connection between Rawalpindi and Islamabad also remains suspended so far.
The motorway police confirmed that the M-2 motorway from Lahore to Islamabad has been reopened and the traffic flow is normal. Islamabad Expressway and the route connecting Ninth Avenue to Double Road, have also been partially opened again, although the Faizabad route from the Rawal Pindi side remains blocked.
Islamabad you Muhammad Jawad Tariq visited Faizabad to review the law and the order situation and ensure that security and order in the capital will be maintained “at all costs.”
The traffic police have announced redirections across several points near Faizabad. Heavy traffic performance in Islamabad remains suspended, with alternative routes advised: Motorists traveling to Rawalpindi from Rawal Dam Chowk are advised to use Park Road while those who go to the airport need Kashmir Chowk and Srinagar Highway.
Residents of I-8 have been asked to use Zero Point, Srinagar Highway, Club Road and Park Road, while those coming from Coral had to choose Khanna Pul, Lehtrar Road, Tramri Chowk and Rawal Dam Chowk.
In Lahore, violent clashes between TLP protesters left 112 staff wounded and led to the arrest of more than 100 protesters, according to the FAISAL Kamran operations. Protesters also vandalized Shahdara Town police station and damaged public and private property, The news reported.
Lecture in progress between government, tlp
Meanwhile, JI leader Liaqat Baloch Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb called on Sunday.
According to the JI spokesman, both leaders discussed questions related to the ongoing TLP march and its influence on the province.
During the telephone conversation, Liaqat Baloch urged the provincial government to initiate conversations with the protesters to resolve the situation peacefully.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for TLP said the negotiations between its central committee and the federal government are ongoing. He further advised all workers to await the decision from the central management.
Sources said that conversations between government officials and representatives of the religious party are underway.
They said Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Salman Rafiq and Tahir Ashrafi are negotiating on the government’s behalf.
Officials who are familiar with the sources said that both sides have made progress with some questions while there are conversations on others.
Prime Minister of Internal Talal Chaudhry previously said the government pursued a peaceful decision but would not be “blackmailed by mobs” who accused TLP of exploiting sensitive issues for political gains.
