Islamabad on edge as TLP rally inches closer

Rally is being led by TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and other senior leaders

The protest rally by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) inched closer to the federal capital on Thursday as the first rounds of negotiations held earlier between the right-wing party and the government failed to make headway.

The rally crossed Jhelum and is being led party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and other senior leaders. Sources revealed that efforts have been made to bar the rally from entering Islamabad's red zone and a meeting of senior Islamabad police officials was also held in this regard.

 



Efforts are being made by the federal government to completely seal off the high-security zone in the capital and an additional contingent of 700 Frontier Corps troops have been deployed to reinforce the local police force. The department had initially requested 2,000 troops and 1,000 Rangers.

TLP protesters knock over containerPHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reached out to his Dutch counterpart and strongly objected to the competition being held by a Dutch politician known for his anti-Islamic views.



Negotiations on Wednesday between the provincial government and TLP stalled after the provincial religious affairs minister and the party’s leadership failed to reach a consensus as protesters mobilised by the party commenced their march towards Islamabad over a controversial cartoon contest in the Netherlands.