A police prison van, destroyed during clashes, is cleared from the road a day after the Tehreek-e-Labaik called off nationwide protests in Islamabad, November 28, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Commuters were jubilant on Tuesday as a main highway into Islamabad reopened three weeks after Faizabad sit-in blocked it, as uneasy soul-searching grew among many locals over the government's capitulation to the protest demands.
The Islamabad Highway, used daily by thousands travelling from Rawalpindi into the capital, was back to normal on Tuesday, with traffic flowing, shops open, and sanitation workers cleaning up the mess left behind by the protesters.
The previously little-known hardline group Tehreek-e-Labbaik had virtually paralysed Islamabad. Drivers were forced to go hours out of their way on overcrowded, potholed sideroads unsuited for heavy traffic.
Faizabad protesters falling prey to foreign conspiracy: Ahsan Iqbal
"Everything clear and moving. Its (sic) good to be back in route," commuter Nauman Naseer posted on a Facebook traffic updates group.
But joy on the roads was dampened for many citizens by fear that a dangerous precedent has been set.
The Tehreek-e-Labbaik had demanded the resignation of law minister Zahid Hamid over a "clerical mistake". The demonstrators had linked the change in Constitution to blasphemy, a hugely sensitive charge in the country.
The law minister resigned on Monday, with protest leaders saying the government would meet all their demands in a deal the army helped broker.
Much more’ agreed with govt than public knows: Rizvi
The Islamabad High Court on Monday demanded a full accounting of the agreement and the part played by the military. Many of the protesters chanted "Long live the Pakistan Army!" as they dispersed, AFP reporters saw.
A viral video showing DG Rangers Punjab officer handing out envelopes of cash to protesters inspired wide media coverage and scathing comments on Facebook and Twitter against the deal and the military's role in it.
Rangers Punjab DG Maj-Gen Azhar Naveed showing unconditional support with the problem who held country hostage for weeks. pic.twitter.com/EA97mDtKLP
— Nazrana Yousufzai (@Nazranausufzai) November 27, 2017
The protestors in Faizabad broke my Aunts wall. When does the DG Rangers pay for that? #TumKisKaySaathHo
— Assad Zulfiqar Khan (@pseudorebel) November 28, 2017
The video of DG rangers handing out cheques to mullah brigade left no doubt in my mind anymore. They killed a policeman and several civilians but ok, thank them with money. https://t.co/NFR8Sc2awp
— Small Town Intellectual (@Zaishe57) November 27, 2017
Rangers DG asking "Are we not with you, Are we not with you?" Amazing. https://t.co/NIe6kVPcQq
— Yasser Latif Hamdani (@theRealYLH) November 27, 2017
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi returned to the country on Tuesday, the country's information minister said, after flying to Saudia Arabia Monday for a long-planned trip as the deal was announced.
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