Rangers called out in Lahore to quell protests sparked by Islamabad operation

Four companies of the paramilitary force requisitioned to contain protesters

As country-wide protests broke out following a crackdown on religious protesters in Islamabad, the Lahore district administration has requested the provincial government to deploy the paramilitary Rangers to help control the worsening law and order situation in the city.

“In the wake of current security scenario with respect to the protests/rallies at different places of Lahore… it is requested that Rangers troops may kindly be requisitioned to avoid any untoward incident,” Lahore's deputy commissioner said in a letter to the Home Department on Saturday.



According to Express News, four companies of the Rangers were requisitioned to quell the protests.



The protesters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik, who before Saturday numbered some 2,000 people, are demanding that federal law minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear.

In Rawalpindi, district bar council’s advocates blocked the city’s Katcheri Road to denounce the crackdown.

In Lahore, protesters staged sit-ins outside Data Darbar, and entered several of the stations of Metro Bus, resulting in the service’s closure.

They also gathered on main roads in areas including Imamia Colony, Shahadara, Thokar Niaz Beg and Mall Road, among others, to denounce the government action.

Four vehicles were set on fire near Shahdara police station.

At least 250 demonstrators were arrested by Lahore police, many of whom were injured and shifted to different hospitals across the city, Express News reported.

To restrict their movement, Lahore police blocked entry and exit points of major thoroughfares including M-2 Motorway and Multan Road of the city.

City markets and commercial areas remained closed in many cities of the province in the wake of the continuing protests.