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Pakistan

Sit-in continues in Faizabad, protests underway in various cities

Dunya News

Protesters block entrances to major cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura

(Dunya News, Web Desk) – Agitation by religious parties namely Sunni Tehreek and Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah among others is continuing on the second day on Sunday after a security operation was launched to end 21-day long Faizabad sit-in.

Over 24 hours into the security operation, interior ministry issued a notification of deployment of army in the capital. So far 400 people have been arrested by the police while 26 cases have been registered against the sit-in leaders.

According to the latest updates, Pakistan Rangers have begun to lead police and Frontier Corps (FC) in the operation against protesters who ar adamant on demand to have law minister Zahid Hamid tender his resignation for presenting a controversial amendment in Elections Act 2017.

The amendment was reversed in the days that followed however, the protesters who had camped in the outskirts of Islamabad late October continue to resort to agitation for resignation of the law minister.

Live Updates on Islamabad operation

November 26, 2017

2254: Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb has denied the reports about resignations from Zahid Hamid and Anusha Rehman. She said that the government had only acted upon the instructions of the court. She said that the courts had ordered unarmed operation but the protesters were armed due to which the operation had to be stopped.

2251: Chaudhry Nisar has denied the claim by Ahsan Iqbal that four people had died in the operation outside Chaudhry Nisar s house. He said that Ahsan Iqbal was trying to hide his incompetence with such baseless claims. "Not a single person was even injured, let alone deaths", he said.

"This is the same person who had claimed that the sit-in protest will have been removed within 3 hours but was now blaming SC for the entire operation".

2245: Raja Zafarul Haq will present his report to PML-N president Nawaz Sharif on Monday.

2238: Disgruntled PML-N MNA Tahir Iqbal claims that 20 Legue MNAs will soon be leaving the party. He said that the leaders will leave the party in phases. Tahir Iqbal has also left the party. He said that he wouldn t be resigning from his seat but had parted ways with the party. Other MNAs who are reportedly considering leaving the party include Raza Hayat Haraj, Nisar Jatt, Jafar Leghari, Khusraw Bakhtiar and others.

2203: Rawalpindi trade union has given a strike call on Monday while the transport union had also decided to keep the transport closed tomorrow.

2132: Interior Minister has told Khursheed Shah that no protester died during the Faizabad operation but four had died at Chaudhry Nisar s home attacked by the protesters. Khursheed Shah also appealed to the protesters to help resolve the crisis through talks.

2130: Ahsan Iqbal phones Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah. Khursheed Shah told that the government had requested help in order to resolve the issue through talks.

2129: Zahid Hamid has decided to resign from his position. He has also informed Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif and PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi about his decision.

2113: A meeting held under the leadership of Hamedduddin Sayalvi was attended by 4 MNAs and 6 MPAs of PML-N and all 10 have decided to resign from their seats as a protest against the policies of the party leadership.

2049: All private and government educational institutions in Abbotabad to remain closed, says District Education Officer Qazi Tajammul.

2046: Sindh Minister for Eduation Jam Mehtab Dahar has said that all educational institutions in Sindh to remain closed in view of the prevalent situation.

2044: Heavy deployment of police outside Chaudhry Nisar, Hanif Abbasi and Raja Zafarul Haq s houses has been observed in Rawalpindi.

2027: Zahid Hamid meets Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, might resign soon

Law Minister Zahid Hamid met Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif where he discussed the situation in the country in detail. Sources claim that Zahid Hamid might resign soon. Senior journalist Kamran Khan has already hinted at the same.

2024: Raja Zafarul Haq says minister s resignation not a big price to end crisis

PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq has said that if the resignation of a minister could help resolve the crisis then there was nothing wrong with it. However, he said that he feared the resignation would encourage the protesters to increase their demands. He said that the entire nation was suffering due to the persisten protests.

1941: Ahsan Iqbal says attacking someone s home was against the teachings of Islam

Condemning the attacks by the sit-in protesters on the homes of various political leaders from the ruling party, including Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah and Zahid Hamid, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that "attacks on houses is not teaching of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)".

1919: Kamran Khan says minister to resign in next few hours

Dunya Media Group President Kamran Khan has said in a tweet that the federal minister will resign shortly, resulting in the victory of the sit-in protesters and also the  brand of language and politics  that Khadim Hussain Rizvi uses.

1857: PTA orders restoring social media sites including Facebook, Twitter

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has ordered restoration of the social media sites including Facebook and Twitter. The sites can now be accessed throughout the country.

1835: Dr Tahir ul-Qadri says entire govt should resign

Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahir ul-Qadri has said that former PM Nawaz Sharif had been taking the revenge of his disqualification from the people of Pakistan. He added that government s writ did not exist for the last 48 hours while the entire country faced the crisis. He said that Nawaz Sharif had made ministers resign earlier, then why not for the country?

1810: Due to security alert in Lahore, Punjab Assembly session has been postponed till December 4. Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif gave the approval and assembly speaker delayed the session. It should be noted that Punjab Assembly session was postponed till Monday due to the law and order situation faced during Friday.

1800: The angry protestors broke hurdles placed on the route to residence of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah in Faisalabad. High contingent of police force was deployed at the Samanabad Chowk where the protestors are headed at the moment.

1740: Media watchdog PEMRA issued a notification to restore coverage of all news channels. You can watch Dunya News on your cable TVs or log on to dunyanews.tv to stream live.

1727: Awami Raj Party (ARP) chairman Jamshed Dasti has demanded the removal of government from Supreme Court in a press conference held in Muzaffargarh. He said that it was army chief s duty to save the country. He added that Pakistan People s Party (PPP) had also helped the government in getting the amendment passed. He said that 95% of the members of the parliament were  thieves , adding that 1973 constitution had become outdated and thus a new constitution should be made with a people s referendum. He termed the ban on electronic and social media as government s incapability.

1712: The military leadership has once again advised the government to seek a peaceful solution to the problem, though the army will continue to provide security to the government installations. The federal government has decided to contact religious leaders to end the sit-in.

1705: Six more cases have been registered against the protesters in Islamabad under the sections pertaining to anti-terrorism and other serious sections. The cases were registered in I-9, Aabpara, Koral and Khanna police stations. The cases nominated TLY leaders including Pir Afzal Qadri, Khadim Hussain Rizvi and others. So far, 400 people have been arrested by the police since yesterday and 26 difference cases have been registered against the protesters. 

1658: Punjab Assembly session might be postponed till next Monday considering the critical situation due to the protests. Speaker Rana Iqbal consulted with Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and advice from CM Shehbaz was sought in this regard. If Shehbaz Sharif agrees with the suggestion, the session will be deferred to Monday next. Rana Sanaullah said that Speaker has the powers to postpone the session.

1646: Army chief refuses to use violence against fellow Pakistanis, claim sources

Army chief has told PM Abbasi in the meeting that use of violence against the people of Pakistan was not possible, claim sources. It has been learned from the sources that General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the people responsible should be identified and punished. He also advised against deploying army in the capital.

1628: PEMRA orders restoration of private TV channels

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority PEMRA has ordered restoring the private TV channels. The broadcast will resume soon.

1611: PML-Q demands national government

Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has demanded formulation of a national government, saying that the ‘puppet government’ had completely failed. Shujaat said that the government had lost all power to deal with the current crisis as it had no credibility left with it after the ouster of former PM Nawaz Sharif. He added that the worst form of violence was used against the sit-in protesters on the directions of Nawaz Sharif.

Shujaat said that Nawaz Sharif wanted to create anarchy in the country in order to save himself. “The government now wants to drag army and court into the crisis too”, he said.

Former Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervez Elahi said on the occasion that linking the sit-in protests with India was extremely shameful on the part of Interior Minister. He said that by linking the protests with India, Ahsan Iqbal had disrespected the entire nation.

1600: Security session chaired by Prime Minister ends in Islamabad. PM Abbasi has said that the army will play its constitutional role positively in mainataining law and order in any part of the country. He asserted that the police and civil security departments are responsible for dispersing the protesters.

1530: Imran Khan demandds resignation from PM, Interior Minister. Says present government is destroying everything to save Sharif family. Khan demands to conduct new elections.

1510: Number of cases registered against protesters reach 26. Atleast 400 protesters have been detained yet.

1500: Punjab CM departs for Lahore from Islamabad. Sharif met significant personalities to end sit-in.

1430: Allama Iqbal Open University postpones examination, remain closed for Monday and Tuesday in Islamabad. 

1407: Sindh Madressatul Islam University to remain shut on Monday due to worsening situation in Karachi. Meanhwile, examinations in Karachi University have also been postponed.

1356: Army’s 111 Brigade has not been deployed yet in the federal capital: sources

1353: Security increased outside Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal s residence. All the shops in surrounding areas closed.

1326: Rangers take front position at Faizabad interchange as security arrangements have been handed over to them. Police and FC personnel have been removed from the location and deployed at a distance from the protest site. The decision was taken in a meeting held last night among police, administration and Rangers authorities. The move has been taken to contain violent protesters. Police has requested for at least 1000 security personnel for operation in surrounding Faizabad areas.

1247: Trains schedule affected in various cities including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Jaranwala and Karachi due to protests and sit-ins.

1215: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chairs a consultative meeting in Islamabad. Army Chief, DG ISI, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal are also attending the meeting which discussed the existing situation prevailing from the countrywide protests. Iqbal briefed the premier about the operation against the protesters. The meeting also reviewed court’s order in the matter and the situation of the country after summoning army under article-245. Different options to end the sit-in were also considered in the meeting.

1200: National T20 tournament’s final, semi-final adjourned for indefinite period in Rawalpindi: PCB

1119: Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood has said that all the educational institutions in Punjab will remain close for two days due to the ongoing protests. The decision will be applicable on all private and government educational institutions.

1016: Funeral prayers of two protesters killed in yesterday’s crackdown to be offered in Faizabad today. Protesters have said that the prayers will be held outside Parliament.

1015: Reply to notification pertaining to the deployment of Army in Islamabad sent to Interior Ministry. The reply says that army’s duty is not to disperse the protesters but preventing violent confrontation therefore; some matters have to be clarified in this regard. It states that the police was not utilized according to its full capabilities to tackle the protesters. Moreover, no written orders were forwaded to the Rangers. The reply says that the court has prohibited the use of fire arms against the protesters. Interior Ministry has copy pasted the previous notification, it adds.

0939: GT Road blocked in Gujrat and Kamoki by the protesters.9:34: Leaders of protesting bodies arrive at Zila Council Chowk in Faisalabad, block the road for traffic. 

0930: Protesters set alight five personally owned motorcycles and one car of policemen near Kachnar Park in I-8 Islamabad. The protesters also hurled stones at the security personnel and tried to take them hostage but were saved by Rangers. However; no action was taken by the police against the incident. 

0925: Motorway M-1 from Peshawar to Islamabad restored completely.

0911: Heavy contingent of police deployed at Shahrah-e-Faisal, CM House as protest continue at Mall Road outside Punjab Assembly.

0910: Motorway closed from M-2 Islamabad to Pindi Bhattian. 

0830: Agitated protesters continue to stage sit-in in at Faizabad interchange on 21st day while similar situation exist in various cities of the country. 

0800: Security beefed up at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s residence.

0745: Protesters shut down Motorway terminal at Thokar Niaz Baig by placing containers.

0615: Sit-in protest by Tehreek-i-Labaik workers continues in front of Punjab Assembly building. The protesters vowed to continue the sit-in as long as their demands aren’t met.

0500: Protesters in Faisalabad end sit-ins at Jamia Chishtiya Chowk and Sargodha Road. Workers asked to reach District Council Chowk ar 8:00am to again stage a sit-in.

0415: Protesters at Thokar area of Lahore partially end sit-in. Motorway, Multan Road reopened for traffic.

0300: Faizabad sit-in enters 21st day. Meanwhile, protests, sit-ins continue across the country including Lahore and Karachi against Faizabad operation.

0200: Sit-in continues in front of Punjab Assembly against Faizabad operation.

0130: The situation started to become normal in Rawalpindi after day-long protests. Protesters also ended the siege of Chaudhry Nisar’s residence.

0045: Protesters cleared Murree Road and limited themselves to Faizabad only. Road leading from Double Road to Islamabad also reopened for traffic.

0011: Sit-ins continue on various locations in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Sit-ins are being held at 19 points in Lahore.

November 25, 2017

2357: Trains coming to Karachi from almost all parts of the country get late due to the protests. 

2355: Protests continue in Sialkot as the religious parties hold sit-ins on all the exit points of the city. TLY and other parties are holding sit-in at Do Burji Chowk. The sit-ins have been joined by religious clerics and workers of the religious parties. Roads are blocked while the traffic is almost at a standstill throughout the city.

The protesters demand immediate release of all those arrested in Islamabad sit-in and dismissal of Interior Minister and Federal Law Minister. They vowed to continue the sit-in as long as the demands aren t met.

2350: Passengers have gathered at Hyderabad Railway Station in large numbers as the trains coming from Punjab haven t arrived as yet. The passengers also exchanged harsh words with the railway staff. However, they were happy upon hearing the announcments of trains leaving Karachi. Pakistan Express, Allama Iqbal Express, Karakoram and Pak Business trains left Karachi station.

2308: Protesters in Faisalabad decided to regroup at District Council Chowk tomorrow at 8 in the morning.

2253: A high level meeting has been held under the headship of Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. The meeting was attended by the senior officials of Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations as well as the police departments of both the cities, including Islamabad Chief Commissioner, IG, SSP and Deputy Commissioner. Rawalpindi administration, police officials and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah also joined the meeting through video conference.

After two hours of discussion, no decision was reached while Islamabad police and administration once again advised against the operation. Interior Minister will apprise PM Abbasi over the lack of decision in the meeting.

Earlier, Chief Commissioner, IG and other officials had also discussed the situation with Rangers in Islamabad.

Notification issued by PM Abbasi

2045: The federal government has called in Pakistan Army troops under Article 245. Ministry of Interior issued the notification and ordered the 111 Brigade to take control over the capital security and ensure peace.

2035: PTA spokesperson told that only the social media sites are blocked across the country. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Dailymotion remain blocked, he added, affirming that these websites will remain blocked till the security situation improved. He further told that there has been no decision for the closure of mobile phone services in the cities and no such order have been received by PTA. 

2025: Lahore High Court Bar Association has announced to hold strike against the Faizabad operation on November 27.

2015: According to Islamabad PIMS officials, 186 injured were brought including at least 73 policemen and 53 common men. It was told that 100 beds were added as part of the emergency situation while the hospital has arranged staff for the upcoming shifts and kept medicines in stock. No death occurred in PIMS, informed sources confirmed.

2000: The security forces have arrested over 300 people in the bid to disperse the protest. The local administration has been incapable of taking full control over the area despite the crackdown for over 12 hours.

1946: Three of the injured at Benazir Hospital in Rawalpindi have succumbed to injuries. Death toll has risen to 5 according to hospital sources.

1945: PM Abbasi has approved the summary to block mobile service across Pakistan. 

1943: Punjab Assembly security has been handed to Rangers according to sources,

1934: Sources claim that former PM Nawaz Sharif phoned Ahsan Iqbal and said that the interior minister had mishandled the situation.

1929: Shelling and firing have started again in Faizabad. One has died while 5 others have been injured according to reports. Violent protesters set various shops on fire in Faizabad.

1924: Government has decided to block the mobile phone services. A summary has been sent to PM Abbasi for approval, claim sources. 

1922: Sunni Tehreek (ST) announces laying siege to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif s house in Raiwind at 3PM tomorrow.

1919: Rangers have also taken over the charge of Wapda House in Lahore.

1918: Rangers DG instructs the personnel to formulate a strategy in consultations with the police. 

1858: House-arrest orders for certain religious leaders are expected.

1857: Army has been requested to take over the sensitive buildings and installations of the city.

Screenshot courtesy Dunya News

1855: Rangers have arrived at Mall Road of Lahore.

1847: Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has strongly condemned the attacks on the media as the protesters beat up media personnel at various points and a DSNG of a private news channel was also set on fire.

1839: Sources claim that Law Minister Zahid Hamid has contacted Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and offered to resign from his position.

1838: The protest leaders say declared Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah a traitor of Pakistan s constitution. Tehreek-e-Siraat-e-Mustaqeem Pakistan chief Dr Ashraf Asif Jalali said that the government was violating the constitution of Pakistan.

1837: Protest leaders instruct the protesters to continue with the protests throughout the country. The sit-in will not be ended unless demands are met, the leaders say.

1815: Ahsan Iqbal talks to Dunya News

Interior Minister Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal said while talking to Dunya News shouldn t cover the operation since it could incite people to violence. He said that social media and TV channels will soon be restored.

Ahsan Iqbal said that the TV channels were taken off air because some channels were doing live coverage of the operation and the government had no other option but to stop the coverage and the live commentary.

The federal minister said that the activities of the protesters were being exploited by the Indian media to malign Pakistan.

When asked, Ahsan Iqbal said that the protesters cut the wires of the entire Safe City project. "This is not an ordinary person s job. This is a specialised job and impossible for a commoner to carry out", he said.

He requested the religious clerics to play their role in normalising the situation. Iqbal refused to disclose the strategy to deal with the operation on the media but assured that the media channels will soon be restored.

Earlier, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa phoned Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and advised him to handle the situation peacefully as violence wouldn t be in national interest.

Live operation updates from all major cities of Pakistan

Situation in Islamabad:

The protesters are currently occupying Murree Road, IJP Road, Expressway and other areas, torching motorbikes and setting other public property to fire too. Police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel retreated from their positions while the protesters are currently occupying the Faizabad Interchange.

Army has also been called in order to secure the sensitive installations in the city.

Shelling and firing have started once again at Faizabad Interchange. One died and 5 were injured.

Zahid Hamid s house attacked in Sialkot:

The protesters also attacked Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid s residence in Sialkot but were dispersed when the police arrived at the scene and started shelling. The protesters broke into Zahid Hamid s house and started damaging his property.

Update at 2355: Protests continue in Sialkot as the religious parties hold sit-ins on all the exit points of the city. TLY and other parties are holding sit-in at Do Burji Chowk. The sit-ins have been joined by religious clerics and workers of the religious parties. Roads are blocked while the traffic is almost at a standstill throughout the city.

Situation in Rawalpindi:

Former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan s residence was also under siege as the protesters sat outside his home. A godown was set on fire just outside his home but the protesters didn t allow the fire brigade to reach the scene and put out the fire.

The protesters broke into Chaudhry Nisar s home and started damaging the property.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif phoned Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Nisar told him about the situation outside his home.

Update on Nov 26, 2017: Heavy deployment of police outside Chaudhry Nisar, Hanif Abbasi and Raja Zafarul Haq s houses has been observed in Rawalpindi

Screenshot from Dunya TV

The number of dead in Rawalpindi s Benazir Hospital has risen to 5 as 3 more succumbed to injuries as per hospital sources.

Situation in Lahore:

The largest city of Punjab is under complete lockdown. The protesters are currently holding sit-ins at Imamia Colony, Ferozepur Road, Shahdra, Kutchehri Chowk, Chohang on Multan Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Thokar Niaz Baig, Chungi Amarsadhu, Garhi Shahu, Mughalpuram Liberty Chowk, Johar Town, Punjab Assembly, Shah Alam Market, Timber Market and various other areas.

The protesters blocked the railway line at Imamia Colony. Babu Sabu Interchange is also blocked. According to reports, there are 35 points in the propvincial capital where the roads are blocked.

Moreover, M2, the motorway that connects Lahore to Islamabad, is also blocked by the protesters and Metro Bus Service is blocked too.

Shahdra Police Station was set on fire by the protesters.

Rangers have also arrived at Mall Road of Lahore where protesters are gathered in large numbers outside Punjab Assembly. Security of Punjab Assembly and Wapda House has been handed to Rangers.

Points where major protests are being held in Lahore

Update at 0011 on November 26: The sit-in protests continue at 19 points in Lahore still.

Situation in Sheikhupura:

Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Mian Javed Latif went to the protesters to hold talks but the protesters started beating him. The parliamentarian ended up in the hospital with injuries. Some of the people accompanying him to the scene of the protest were also injured on the occasion.

Javed Latif in hospital

Javed Latif talks to media after being attacked. He can be seen with a bandage around his head. Screenshot source: Dunya TV

Situation in Karachi:

28 people have so far been injured in various partes of the city. The protesters have blocked various areas including Hub River Road, Star Gate, Chorangi, Teen Hatti, Sarjani etc. Shah Faisal Highway was also blocked. Skirmishes between the protesters and the police continue throughout the city. 25 injured have been brought to Jinnah Hospital while 3 were brought to Civil Hospital.

Clashes were observed at Numaesh Chorangi and Shah Faisal Highway. Police did shelling against at Shah Faisal Highway to get the road cleared from the protesters.

Update at 2357: Trains coming to Karachi from almost all parts of the country get late due to the protests.

Update at 2047 on Nov 26, 2017: All educational institutions in Sindh to remain closed in view of the prevalent situation.

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