CNG strike enters 6th day in twin cities, protests continue across country

Policemen beat a protester during a demonstration in Islamabad. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE

The CNG strike entered its sixth day and the transport strike continued for the second day in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while citizens from all over the country protested on the roads, Express News reported on Tuesday.

Despite the fulfillment of their demands by the government, the CNG association has announced that the strike will continue.

The road connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained blocked by protesters for four hours. In the Faizabad area of Rawalpindi, the police resorted to aerial firing, baton charging and shelling to disperse protestors.

The protesters also pelted the police with stones.

The CNG association in Islamabad planned to hold a sit-in outside the parliament and to have talks with the government over the current gas crisis; however, no government representative showed up at the parliament. The sit-in could also not be held as the protesters were blocked from entering any area leading towards the parliament.

Protest in Peshawar

In Peshawar, around 1,500 rickshaw drivers protested at the Faqirabad Chowk for the release of Rickshaw Union President Amanullah, who was earlier arrested by the police. They also demanded the return of the confiscated rickshaws. The drivers have planned to move towards GT Road to put forward their demands to the higher authorities.

The police baton charged the rickshaw drivers during the protest to disperse them and to stop them from moving towards the GT Road.