ISLAMABAD (Geo News): The operation to clear Faizabad interchange from protesters staging a sit-in began early morning on Saturday.
Heavy contingents of police, FC and Rangers were deployed to the interchange, where they used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters, who had paralysed the federal capital for almost three weeks.
At least 200 people have been injured in the clashes including 90 police and FC personnel.
According to reports, the operation against protesters was suspended at approximately 1:30 PM.
COAS suggests to PM to handle sit-in peacefully
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa spoke with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi over the sit-in in Islamabad.
“COAS telephoned PM. Suggested to handle Isb Dharna peacefully avoiding violence from both sides as it is not in national interest and cohesion,” DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted on Saturday.
'Trying to ensure minimum loss'
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday afternoon that the operation was being conducted on the directives of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and added that the court had ordered to end the sit-in in three days.
He said that the government is willing to conduct negotiations at any time.
Iqbal appealed to the people to not cause chaos as it plays into the hand of international conspiracies against the country.
The interior minister further added that the security forces and administration are trying to ensure a minimum loss.
Protesters attack Law Minister Zahid Hamid's house
Protesters attacked and entered the residence of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid in Pasrur.
At the time of the attack, the law minister and his family were not present at the house.
The religious protesters have demanded the resignation of Hamid and have refused to negotiate till their demand is met.
Protesters enter Chaudhry Nisar's residence
Protesters entered the residence of former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and set fire to the gate. Nisar had his family were not at the residence at the time of the incident.
Earlier, protesters had broken the gate to the former interior minister's residence. An armoured personnel carrier belonging to security forces was also damaged.
A building and a mobile satellite van located near Nisar's residence was also set ablaze.
MNA Javed Latif injured by protesters
MNA Javed Latif was injured by protesters after he had gone to negotiate on behalf of the government.
Police said there was tension at the time of the negotiations and the lawmaker was safely escorted from the scene of the incident.
"We did not want to take action against the protesters and went to negotiate. I ask God to show these people [protesters] the right path," said Latif.
Latif claimed his dera was also attacked by unidentified men and five of his workers were injured.
However, police said the MNA's house was not attacked.
Media personnel attacked
Media personnel covering the protests across the country came under attack in various cities. In Islamabad a private channels DSNG van was set on fire, while in Karachi Geo News team members were assaulted by protestors.
PBA condemns attack on journalists
The Pakistan Broadcast Association (PBA) condemned the attacks on members of the media during the coverage of the religious party's protests across the country.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the association said that violence against journalists and attacks on media vehicles will not be tolerated.
Protection of journalists is the responsibility of the state, the PBA said, demanding that the government take action against those who are violating laws.
The association condemned the burning down of a private channel's DSNG van in Faizabad, attacks on Geo News’ reporters in Karachi and two DSNGs in Lahore.
PBA also urged journalists to take all necessary safety precautions while performing their duties.
Operation against protesters
The operation was commenced on court orders following the expiry of the midnight deadline set by the district administration.
Prison vans, ambulances reached the site, while helicopters and drones were used by the authorities for aerial surveillance. Around 8,000 security officials are part of the operation, including 3,000 FC personnel.
At least 200 people, including 90 policemen and FC personnel, have been injured in the operation so far.
Security officials conducted the operation against the protesters from five directions: Khanna Pul, GT Road, Islamabad Club Road, Express Highway and Murree Road.
Protesters have blocked Bhara Kahu leading to Murree, Rawalpindi Expressway and the Motorway. They also set fire to ten police vehicles in the area.
Schools situated at Murree Road were evacuated because of the tear gas shelling in the area.
Meanwhile, electricity and internet services in and around Faizabad have been suspended.
Minutes before the start of the operation, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) removed barbed wire fences which had surrounded the sit-in area, where protesters belonging to a religious party had been demonstrating for 20 days.
Commenting on the developments prior to the operation, Asmatullah Junejo — the assistant inspector-general (AIG) for police who is currently at the scene — had said the authorities "will conduct an operation against the protestors [in the sit-in] today."
Security officials and LEAs had evacuated Faizabad ahead of the operation, Junejo added.
Geo News' correspondents at the scene explained that the markets and bus stops in Faizabad and its surrounding areas were completely empty, while police banned entry for all unrelated persons.
"We will clear the [Faizabad] area today in line with the court's orders," Junejo said, adding that they "will try our best to make sure there is no fatality".
PEMRA orders to take news channels off air
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) also ordered to take all news channels off air.
Following the directives, news channels were reported to be off the air in parts of the country.
Earlier, PEMRA had barred media from live coverage of Islamabad operation under Media Code of Conduct 2015.
The regulatory body had instructed media houses to ensure the security of their staff while the situation persists.
Meanwhile, social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been blocked on web browsers across the country.
Protests erupt in other cities
Besides Islamabad, protesters and law enforcement officials are facing off in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sambrial in Sialkot district.
In Karachi, the protesters have blocked the roads leading to the Numaish Chowrangi, where they are staging their sit-in.
In Lahore, protesters blocked the railway track in Shahdara and roads in the areas of Datta Darbar and Mall road. No injuries were reported and several people were arrested. The arrested individuals were later released.
In Sambrial, protesters set tires alight on the Sialkot-Wazirabad road
This is a developing story and will be updated as details are made available.
BACKGROUND
As the midnight deadline given by the district administration expired, the protesters belonging to a religious party remained camped at the Faizabad Interchange overnight, continuing their stranglehold over the vital transport junction.
According to sources, Pir Nizamuddin Jami had contacted a government official and requested an extension of the deadline and expressed hope that the issue could be resolved through mutual understanding.
Meanwhile, the interior ministry disclosed that four CCTV cameras that were monitoring the demonstration had their wires cut. The interior minister has taken notice and asked for a report on the matter.
Final warning
Late Friday night, the district administration of the federal capital had issued a final warning to protesters of a religious party, camped at Faizabad Interchange, and had told them to disperse by midnight, threatening to take action of the order was not followed.
The warning was issued in a notification issued by the district magistrate.
The order by the district administration came after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday ordered to shift the protesters to the Parade Ground within a span of three days.
The district administration had stated that the protesters have been camping at the critical junction illegally and the protesters have been issued a three-day warning previously too, hence, the protesters should vacate Faizabad Interchange by midnight Friday.
If an operation is conducted to clear the interchange, then the responsibility will fall on the leadership and the participants of the protest, the administration added.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said that when the writ of the state ends, decisions are made on the streets.
Difficulties for residents
The protest has resulted in severe issues for residents of the capital and Rawalpindi, who face traffic jams and mobility issues on a daily basis. At least two casualties due to ambulances being unable to cross the protesters have also been reported.
Talks between the government and protesters last Saturday and then on Monday had failed with no breakthrough in sight, as protest leaders continued to demand the resignation of Federal Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid.
The protests were being held against the change in the finality of Prophethood oath in the law when the government passed the Elections Act 2017 last month. The change, dubbed a clerical error by the government, was immediately fixed as an amendment was passed later.
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