Faizabad aftershocks hit Lahore

Life comes to a standstill as angry mobs assault police, commuters, journalist


Our Correspondent November 26, 2017
Activists of religious parties set tyres on fire on Azadi Interchange during the protest. PHOTO: ONLINE

LAHORE: Life came to a standstill on Saturday after protests erupted across the city in reaction to the operation against the sit-in of Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah in Faizabad.

Early morning, protesters started gathering at Imamia Colony Phattak Shahdara, Thokar Niaz Beg Chowk, Data Darbar and the Punjab Assembly. When their number increased, authorities closed down roads for all kinds of traffic, causing great problems for the people leaving their workplaces.

Carrying clubs and sticks to resist police action, the demonstrators shouted slogans against the government, deposed PM Nawaz Sharif and demanded the immediate removal of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid.



Use of force against protesters

Replicating the action by authorities against protesters at Faizabad Interchange, Lahore police also used force against the protesters. Senior officers ordered the arrest of demonstrators and said the accumulated mobs must be disperses As a result, police took over 200 protesters into custody and sent them to jail for a one-month detention period.

Faizabad sit-in continues: Army ready to act, but seeks ‘clarifications’ before deployment

Situation turns violent

Later, the situation turned violent as a large number of protesters gathered outside the Shahdara police station and three motorcycles and a police van were set ablaze. They pelted stones, bricks and hit the gate of the police station with clubs. A heavy contingent of police was called in for backup and rescue of the officials who were held hostage. At least three protesters, who were injured during the clash, were admitted to the Shahdara Teaching Hospital.

The crowd also deflated tyres of metro buses in different part of the city and damaged vehicles at various locations. They also thrashed commuters and assaulted the journalist of a private news channel in Shahdara.



The angry mob barged into the courtyard of the Punjab Assembly and tried to enter the premises. The courtyard is blocked by barbed wires has been a no-go area for the public for many years.

Sensing gravity of the situation, the authorities changed the policy to deal with the protesters. They called back their force and asked them to stand at a distance and only respond if the situation spirals out of control.

They protesters blocked roads and protested at over 22 points of the city, including Data Darbar Road, Imamia Phatak Shahdara,  Ek Moria Pull Road, Begum Kot, Shahdara, Bhatta Chowk, Khayaban Chowk, Raiwand Road, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Ghazi Road Chowk, Ferozepur Road, Faisal Chowk at Mall Road,  Timber Market, Shah Alami Chowk, Kahna, Shah Kam Chowk, Jagawar Chowk Johar Town, Thokar Niaz Baig Chowk,  Ghulistan Chowk, Garhi Shahu Chowk, Walton Road, Shahdewal Chowk, Mughalpura Chowk and Garhi Shahu.

Govt calls out army in Islamabad after day-long Faizabad clashes

The closure of the main roads and metro bus service in the city caused a great nuisance for the commuters. The entry/exit points of Imamia Colony, Begum Kot, Thokar Niaz Beg, Ferozpur Road also led to restrictions of movements on Grand Trunk Road, Multan Road, Motorway, Raiwind Road and Lahore-Sheikhupura Road.

As it was a weekend, many people who lived in Lahore and worked outside the city, complained about the problems they faced due to the protests.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Mohsin Chaduhry, who worked in Daska and lived in Lahore, said he visited his home every Saturday to meet his family. However, since GT Road was blocked, he could make the weekly visit.



Another resident, Imtiaz Nazeer, who worked in Lahore, said that he had to go to Multan to attend a marriage ceremony of a close friend. However, once again, the demos spoiled all his plans.

The protesters continued their demonstrations throughout the day in different places of the city and offered prayers on the roads. By the evening, they set up their camps and tents to hold sit-ins for an indefinite period. A large number of employees of various different media outlets also protested in front of the Lahore Press Club against PEMRA and the government for taking TV channels off the air.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2017.

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