Precursor: Rival party activists clash in the streets

Over a dozen people injured in scuffles.

FAISALABAD: In a precursor to the proposed lockdown of Faisalabad, activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) found themselves in an eye-ball-to-eyeball confrontation with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters on Sunday following rival demonstrations by the two parties.

Several small rallies were taken out by PTI and PML-N supporters in and around the city’s clock tower and its eight adjacent bazaars on Sunday. Minor scuffles broke out when activists of the rival parties confronted each other.

PML-N activists first threw eggs at PTI supporters – which sparked off a minor clash in which both sides used sticks and batons. As a result of the clash, more than a dozen people sustained minor injuries while a PTI worker had to be admitted to the Allied Hospital for medical assistance.

The activists of both the political parties were highly charged and chanted slogans – “Go Nawaz Go” and “Ro Imran, Ro” – against each other’s leader. However, neither side was interested in a serious encounter – possibly due to the interference of their leaders and police.

The city’s clock tower was the main hub of the political activities and sympathisers of both the parties were seen active in displaying banners, hoardings, posters and placards, in favour of and against the PTI’s shutter down call.  All the leadings eight bazaars were plastered with banners, posters and hoardings.

The police were also on alert throughout the day and their heavy contingents patrolled the main bazars and the clock tower.

The police also staged a flag march – comprising more than 100 vehicles – round the bazars and clock tower, an activity which helped to lower the heightened political temperature.

Meanwhile the city traffic police has devised an alternative traffic plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2014.