Faizabad sit-in enters 12th day as deadlock persists between govt, protesters
The protesters are adamant for the law minister to resign.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Activists of religious groups continue to stage sit-in at Faizabad on 12th day as a deadlock in the negotiations with the government continues to persist.
Heavy contingent of Rangers, Frontier Corps and police are deployed in the area whereas armored vehicles, prison vans and ambulances are also present.
.jpg)
Police personnel deployed at Faizabad as protest continue despite stern warnings. --- Online Service
Administration of the twin cities has delayed decision to use force against protesters belonging to Sunni Tehreek and Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah after fourth round of talks ended at residence of Raja Zafarul Haq last night.
Protesting bodies represented by Dr Shafiq Ameeni, Sheikh Azhar and Pir Ijaz Sherani convened the fourth round of talks at Raja Zafarul Haq’s residence with the government and returned to the protesting site.
Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar among others represented the delegation of the government while a cleric from Golara Sharif Ghulamulddin Jami mediated the talks.
Talking to media, Ahsan Iqbal said that the government wanted to end the protest through negotiations and do not want any bloodshed.
He, however; rejected the demand of protesters regarding the resignation of law minister and said that he cannot be asked to resign without any solid evidence.
The interior minister has requested the court to extend the deadline for ending the sit-in as the government wants to complete the task without any use of force or violence.
.jpg)
A view of religious groups tents at Faizabad in Islamabad. --- Online Service
The locals of the twin cities are under a miserable scenario as the sit-in has shut down Faizabad interchange from all the sides, forcing locals to reach their destination through long routes and in entended hours instead of minutes. Disrupted traffic flow and vehicles jamming on the alternative routes have also become a routine.
The government has also cancelled the holidays of staff at the hospitals and emergency. At least two people including a child have lost their lives after they were unable to reach hospital timely due to the sit-in.
Moreover, mobile services in I-8 and Faizabad remain suspended creating problems for the people. Till date, police has registered at least 17 cases against the protesters including assault on security personnel.
Seemingly, the negotiations failed after the extended deadline to end the sit-in protest has expired. Meanwhile, the ultimatum granted by Islamabad High Court (IHC) has also concluded.
The protesting bodies have vowed to continue the sit-in protest until law minister Zahid Hamid tenders his resignation for a ‘clerical mistake’ in amendment that was brought to Elections Act 2017.
In the then revised form-A of nomination papers, the words “I solemnly swear” were replaced with “I believe” and the clause relating to Khatm-i-Naboowat was made applicable to non-Muslim candidates.
.jpg)
Activists of religious groups hold sticks as they continue sit-in at Faizabad. --- Online Service
However, the change was branded a clerical mistake by National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and the government had vowed immediate rectification of the alleged mistake.
The Senate, earlier this week, approved reversal of the changes made earlier.
Nonetheless, the protesters who camped in the outskirts of Islamabad and at Faizabad M2 interchange late October are adamant for the law minister to resign.
