Protesters keep Ring Road closed

Officials say they have not received any directives to force protesters off the road and open it for traffic

PESHAWAR: Around 500 protesters, who had gathered on Ring Road in Jamil Chowk on Saturday, kept it blocked for all kinds of vehicular traffic for a second day on Sunday.

They have erected tents around the square, making plain their intent to remain lodged there.

As a result, locals living around the Ring Road and in the city since the road was being used as an alternative route owing to the ongoing construction work for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road).

The men had taken up positions on the road after security forces in Islamabad launched a crackdown against supporters of the Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR). The group has been camped at the Faizabad interchange, on the confluence of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, since November 8, agitating on the Khatam-e-Nabuwat issue.

The protesters have been demanding the resignation of the law minister and parleys between the government and the protesters have failed to bear any fruit thus far.

The protest has crippled traffic in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi apart from disrupting heavy traffic from Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the east, the Punjab in the south and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) in the west.

“These people are still camped there [Jamil Chowk] and are largely peaceful but they are not allowing traffic to pass and since last evening, have started to erect tents,” said a police official while talking to The Express Tribune, adding that there was no order from the government to disperse them and the protesting mob was not allowing police to come near them. “Most of them are villagers from the Hazar Khawani village, which is known for its support to the group involved in these protests across the country,” he added.

Owing to the blockade, a massive traffic snarl-up was witnessed on roads leading to the intersection.

Police, however, diverted the traffic onto GT Road where large traffic jams could be seen extending for miles due to the increased inflow of vehicles. “They are causing serious traffic jam but we are watching them in the absence of any order to disperse them,” said the official on the condition of anonymity.

Motorway open

Meanwhile, highway officials said that the M-1 Motorway— for commuters travelling from Peshawar to Islamabad, is open for traffic. However, due to the heavy traffic, heavy transport vehicles and other vehicles are being diverted from Tarnol Interchange.

Moreover, the M-2, M-3 and M-4 motorways remain closed for traffic.

The Motorway police have requested the public to avoid unnecessary travel and also advised to contact their helpline 130 in the event of an emergency.

Varsity closed

The administration of the Gomal University has announced that the varsity will remain closed on Monday, November 27 (today).

In this regards, a notification was issued by the varsity’s administration on Sunday. Gomal University Public Relations Officer Fazalur Rehman explained to APP that the varsity was being closed in light of the prevailing law and order situation in the country. APP

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2017.