Protesters chanting slogans against the Punjab government. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/EXPRESS
The deaths of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers in Lahore sparked a protest in the twin cities as scores of their colleagues blocked the Islamabad Expressway near Faizabad Interchange on Tuesday.
Hundreds of workers chanted slogans against the Punjab Police for firing at and baton charging PAT workers and students of Minhajul Quran students as a result of which eight persons were killed and at least 85 injured.
PAT workers had also blocked the Islamabad Expressway in the morning to protest an attempt by the district administration to remove barricades outside Minhajul Quran’s secretariat in Lahore but they had later opened it and dispersed peacefully. After casualties, the workers again came out and staged a protest to condemn the police brutality.
The blockade led to traffic jams and hundreds of vehicles remained suck on connecting roads.
The protesters demanded that Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Police chief resign. They said they would not open the road until those responsible for their colleagues’ deaths were held accountable.
“What the Punjab Police did cannot be justified at any cost. Our colleagues remained peaceful throughout the operation,” said Sajid Tareen, a PAT worker. Our colleagues pelted stones on the police to protect themselves from baton charge, he added.
“Subjecting women and the elderly to brutality is inhumane. Were we terrorists for whom the government called in police commandoes?”
The Punjab government wants to abort our revolution but it wouldn’t succeed in its plan, said Muhammad Ikram, another worker. “The attack on our secretariat today proved that they are afraid of our revolution which we now have to set in motion.”
“We condemn the announcement of a commission which is an attempt to hide the government’s brutality,” said Izhar Hussain, a PAT worker.
Workers demanded immediate resignation of those responsible for the casualties and arrest of police officials who killed party workers.
The protesters were joined by workers of PML-Q and Awami Muslim League, while religious organisations announced their support.
Huge contingents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi police were deployed in the area.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2014.
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Please someone tear gas these idiots. The party workers are responsible for the violence that occurred. They clashed with police for doing their rightful duty which is a big crime. If party workers died as a result, it's no one's fault but their own.
I am really shocked after the Lahore incident. what about those who have been killed by the Punjab Police.? I have not been able to see the Names of Innocent Pakistanis martyrs of my Countryin these express news. I pray for all of them who have been victim of Nawaz/Shahbaz Government.