The Islamabad High Court on Monday lashed out at the
government as well as the Army for the role assigned to the military "as
the mediator" in the agreement to end the sit-in at Islamabad's
Faizabad Interchange.
The army chief instead of
following the orders of the chief executive became a mediator, pointed
out Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as a hearing into the Faizabad protest
was underway at the high court on Monday.
"Who is the Army to adopt a mediator's role?" inquired the judge. "Where does the law assign this role to a major general?"
After
the weeks-long protest that virtually paralysed the capital, the
government and protesters reached an agreement late Sunday night, in
which the former conceded to the latter's demands.
The document of the agreement — submitted before the court —
bears the signatures of Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Interior
Secretary Arshad Mirza, Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) leader
Khadim Hussain Rizvi, two other protest leaders and Maj Gen Faiz Hameed,
who facilitated the agreement.
"We are thankful to him [Gen Bajwa] for saving the nation from a big catastrophe," the agreement document concludes, crediting the army chief and his representative team for their "special efforts".
Court's objections
In its written order, the court notes a "number of serious objections on the terms of agreement".
"Most
alarming is that Maj Gen Faiz Hameed put signature as [the] one through
whom [the] agreement was arrived at," the order says. "It is also very
strange that the efforts of Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff,
have been acknowledged in the words: this entire agreement was reached
through the efforts of the army chief and his representative team."
The order notes that the role assumed by the army chief is "besides the Constitution and the law of the land".
"Armed
Forces being part of executive of the country cannot travel beyond its
mandate bestowed upon it by the organic law of the country."
On
the matter of the abusive language used by the protesters against the
judiciary, the order says that "the Federal government and the
arbitrator did not bother to persuade the leadership of TLY to even
tender an apology in this regard."
"This court has
serious reservations on the terms of the agreement and mannerism in
which it arrived; however, the federal government has to satisfy the
court about the constitutional role of Armed forces and an
acknowledgement by the federal government/Executive of the country
regarding role of armed forces as an arbitrator," the order reads,
calling for the attorney general to assist the court on this point.
The
court has also directed the chief commissioner to submit a report
regarding the Islamabad operation and "reasons for its failure".
Further,
Joint Director General of the Intelligence Bureau Anwar Ali has also
been asked to submit a report detailing how the protesters gained acces
to guns, tear gas shells and masks.
"He shall also submit
a report showing reasons of failure of operation and aid provided to
protesters, when ICT Police almost cleared Faizabad Interchange."
"It
is made clear that [the] question raised by this court shall not be
used as an excuse to dislodge/disburse the protesters of sit-in as order
to clear Faizabad Interchange is still in field."
The
order adds that if the protesters continue their sit-in, the government
and the administration are "required to persuade them to shift to the
sit-in at Parade Ground."
Army's response to operation
Security forces had launched an operation against protesters
camped out at the Faizabad Interchange on Saturday after the high court
had ordered the clearance of the bridge that connects the federal
capital with Rawalpindi. The same day, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had advised Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to "handle the Islamabad dharna peacefully".
The
day-long operation had culminated with the government seeking the
military's assistance to disperse the participants who had put up fierce
resistance to the security personnel's action.
However,
the Army had said in its response to the government's call for
assistance that while it was "fully ready" to take action, a "few points
need deliberation". Subsequently, no troops were deployed in the city.
'You've embarrassed the police, administration'
During the hearing, Justice Siddiqui said soldiers who are
inclined towards politics should turn in their weapons, asking if the
protests would have continued as they did if the Army's headquarters had
been located near the Faizabad Interchange.
"Where is
their Radd-ul-Fasaad now? Did they not see any Fasaad (anarchy) in this
protest?" Justice Siddiqui asked, referring to a military operation that
was launched in February.
The judge remarked that this was proof of the 'military's involvement'.
He
told Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal that the administration has the
right to call in the Army to control an emergency situation and that the
military is bound to comply.
The minister told the court
that during the protests and the operation in Islamabad, the country's
internal security was at risk. "Security officials were being attacked
everyday. Motorways, railways and cities were being closed."
"There
was a conspiracy to show that a nuclear-state was failing. The
agreement was reached with the protesters to bring the country out of
those circumstances," said Iqbal, referring to the 'successful
negotiations' with leaders of the demonstration late Sunday night.
The judge asked why the agreement did not carry the signatures of the chief commissioner and the IG.
"Iqbal sahab,
you have embarrassed the police and the administration," Justice
Siddiqui said. "You [the institutions] are destroying the state in your
bid to make each other look bad."
"What role did the Rangers fulfill?" he asked. "You are supporting the impression that the Army is the cure for all illnesses."
This
is not just an issue of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the judge said, referring
to the religious leader spearheading the TLY sit-in.
The
IHC judge, while declaring his love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH), said
that these remarks could cost him his life or add him to the list of
missing persons'.
The judge tasked Barrister Zafarullah
with filing a report on the incident. "He will tell us in 10 days what
happened, where and when," the judge said.
Using Zahid Hamid as a 'scapegoat'
Speaking on Law Minister Zahid Hamid's resignation ─ the
main demand put forward by the protesters ─ the judge accused the
government of using him as a scapegoat to protect PML-N leader Anusha
Rehman, state minister for IT and Telecommunication. Rehman was also
named in the Khatme-Naboowat controversy. "In order to protect one
person, the minister is being sacrificed."
The IHC is
conducting hearings on two applications that were filed by residents
about the disturbances caused by the protracted sit-in.
"The
petitioner has asked for a lot of things in the application," the judge
observed, "This will only be made apparent when the project is over and
the [protesters] have left."
"Where did the protesters
get tear gas and gas masks from?" the judge asked, ordering the
Intelligence Bureau to submit a report in this regard before the court.
The hearing was adjourned until next Monday.
Iqbal summoned
Earlier, the high court had expressed its displeasure when
the interior minister had failed to appear for the hearing. The minister
had been ordered to appear before the court within 15 minutes before
the hearing was adjourned for a break.
Ahsan Iqbal
arrived at the court soon after. Inspector General Khalid Khattak, Chief
Commissioner Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta and Deputy Commissioner Captain
(retired) Mushtaq were present in court.
The high court
has also summoned Director General Intelligence Bureau Aftab Sultan and
secretary commander of the Inter-Services Intelligence.
In
a previous hearing of the case, which was held before the Islamabad
Police with the help of the Fontier Constabulary personnel launched
their operation against the protesters, the high court had issued a show-cause notice for contempt of court to Iqbal over his failure to take steps ordered by the court to end the sit-in
Situation in capital
The Faizabad protests had paralysed life in the twin cities for three weeks before an operation of security forces was finally launched on Saturday in keeping with the court's orders.
The operation had continued all day on Saturday. Tensions had remained high in the federal capital on Sunday when the Rangers were handed over charge of the operation.
After negotiations late Sunday night, the government's gave in to the protesters' demand for the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid, among other conditions. Subsequently, the TLY chief on Monday ordered his followers to end sit-ins across the country.
COAS asks PM Abbasi to tackle Islamabad protest 'peacefully'
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa advised Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday to "handle the Islamabad dharna
peacefully" as violent clashes erupted between security forces and
protesters in the capital city during a clearance operation at the
Faizabad Interchange.
At least 139 people ─ including
protesters and security forces ─ were injured as police, the Frontier
Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies employed teargas
shelling and rubber bullets to disperse the agitators, who have held an
18-day-long sit-in despite repeated requests by the government to clear
the area. In response, the protesters have been using stones and rocks
to attack the advancing security forces.
The crackdown
ordered by the Islamabad High Court was launched after the last of a
long series of deadlines lapsed today morning without response from the
agitating parties.
Roughly 8,500 elite police and
paramilitary troops in riot gear are taking part in the clearance
operation of over 2,000 protesters in the capital city.
Explore: Operation underway to break up sit-in at Islamabad's Faizabad Interchange; over 150 arrested
Following
the news of the clearance operation, religious parties began protesting
in other cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Badin.
Director
General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif
Ghafoor tweeted that the army chief telephoned the prime minister and
suggested the clearance operation in Islamabad be handled peacefully,
"avoiding violence from both sides as it is not in national interest and
cohesion."
Earlier this week, the military’s spokesperson said the army
would abide by whatever decision the government took regarding the
clearance of the Faizabad Interchange, although it would be preferable
to address the situation through peaceful means.
The DG
ISPR said that the civil and military leaderships were on the same page
when it came to the country’s security, and that the army was duty-bound
to carry out the government’s instructions.
'Capital admin bound to enforce court's order'
Shortly after the DG ISPR tweeted today, Information
Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted that the administration of Islamabad
is "responsible to ensure enforcement of [the] IHC order to restore
public convenience in the Faizabad area.
The IHC, which had initially advised protesters to end their
protest, then ordered the capital administration to use "whatever means
necessary" to evict protesters from the Faizabad Interchange by
Saturday last week.
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had,
however, requested the court for several extensions in the deadline as
the government attempted to negotiate with the protesters, but failed
each time.
The IHC then warned the interior minster of
contempt of court for not taking action against the protesters. A final
deadline for dispersal for Saturday 7am was handed to the protesters,
but passed unheeded after which security forces launched an operation to
clear the area .
Explore a complete timeline of the Islamabad stand-off here
Life in Islamabad disrupted
The capital administration had, on Nov 5, warned the TLY and
ST against holding any sit-in in Islamabad, saying that a ban on public
gatherings had already been imposed in the city.
The
parties were also informed that Islamabad's Parade Ground had been
reserved for such gatherings and holding a rally somewhere else in the
capital would be unlawful.
The organisers had not sought
any permission for the rally or the sit-in. On Nov 8, the protesters
blocked the expressway that connects Islamabad with Rawalpindi.
Since
then, the metro service has also been halted. According to the Metro
Bus Authority (MBA), more than 100,000 people used the service between
the twin cities daily.
IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui
on Friday asked "why contempt of court proceedings may not be initiated
against him [Ahsan Iqbal]. He is directed to appear in person on the
next date".
The IHC order noted that: "Patients dying for
want of access to hospitals, traders crying for lack of business
activity, students are being deprived from their right to education and
right of free movement of almost six million people of twin cities
usurped by dictatorial act of one person and passive approach of law
enforcing agencies [is] adding to the miseries of citizens".
The
court order, however, advised the district administration not to use
"firearms" during the clearance operation, if one was required.
Contempt of court notice issued to Ahsan Iqbal for inaction over Faizabad sit-in
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a show-cause
notice for contempt of court to Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal over his
failure to take steps ordered by the court to end the sit-in that has created a logistical mess in the capital for the past 17 days.
The
court has inquired in the notice under which authority the minister did
not take action against the protesters despite clear orders issued by
the court.
The
court issued the notice while hearing two applications filed by
residents about the disturbances caused by the protracted sit-in.
The
interior secretary had represented the interior ministry before the
court on Friday. The IHC judge instead ordered the interior minister to
appear in person on November 27.
When the district
attorney general requested Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui to withdraw the
show-cause notice, the judge responded: "Are you a servant of the
[interior] minister or the federation?"
During the hearing, the judge remarked that the impression should end that agencies are backing the sit-in at Faizabad.
He
said the court was not suggesting that the authorities should spray
bullets on the protesters; instead, the participants of the sit-in could
be dispersed using other options, such as tear gas.
The
judge also ordered the government to submit the report of a committee
led by Senator Raja Zafarul Haq on the amendment made in election laws
by November 27, instead of the previously given date of November 29.
Justice
Siddiqui further directed that if a person has been named in the
committee's report as being responsible for the change in the
Khatm-i-Nabuwwat declaration, their name should be put on the Exit
Control List.
Justice Siddiqui also ordered the director
general of the Intelligence Bureau and the Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI) sector commander to appear in person before the court on November
27.
The high court had given a deadline of November 23 to
the government to end the sit-in; however, the protest has continued,
entering its 18th day on Friday.
Declaring that the state
would never surrender to the organisers of the Faizabad sit-in, Iqbal
on Thursday had said that the basic objective behind this long-drawn
episode was to gain voters’ confidence ahead of the next elections.
He
had said that the government had two options: to disperse the
protesters by using force or to address the issue through dialogue,
which is still continuing on different levels.
'Bullets not necessary to disperse protesters'
Justice Siddiqui's remark that the Faizabad protesters can
be dispersed without the use of bullets is reflected in an order passed
by the Supreme Court a day earlier.
"Whilst avoiding the
loss of life is indeed commendable, but it does not follow that
protesters can only be removed by firing upon them," the apex court
observed in a copy of its six-page order on the matter acquired by DawnNews.
The
order suggested that "baton-wielding or even unarmed law enforcement
personnel, if they are sufficient in numbers, can undertake such an
exercise."
The apex court noted in the order that the
protesters appear to be "well-rested, well-fed, bathed and clothed in
clean clothes." It also observed that the participants have access to
broadcast paraphernalia.
"It, therefore, appears that they are going about freely under the noses of the police and the other
law enforcement agencies," the order stated.
In its
order, the apex court directed the government to take measures against
the use of " filthy-abusive language" by the protesters. The government
was asked to report the matter to the Pakistan Electronic Media
Regulatory Authority.
Furthermore, the court, which
expressed its displeasure yesterday over reports on the protest shared
by the capital police, Inter-Services Intelligence and Intelligence
Bureau, asked the institutions to file additional reports on the matter.
Capital paralysed
Daily life in the capital has been disrupted by protesters
belonging to religious parties — including the
Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) and
the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST) — who are calling for the sacking of Law
Minister Zahid Hamid and strict action against those behind the
amendment to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath in the Elections Act 2017.
The amendment had earlier been deemed a 'clerical error' and has already been rectified.
The
protesters have occupied the Faizabad Bridge which connects Rawalpindi
and Islamabad through the Islamabad Expressway and Murree Road, both of
which are the busiest roads in the twin cities.
The
government on Monday had scrambled to secure the support of religious
leaders and ulema from across the political spectrum in a bid to
negotiate a peaceful end to the sit-in.
However, a
meeting between representatives of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah
and government ministers held at Punjab House was unable to make any
breakthrough, as the protesters had refused to budge from their demand
for the law minister’s resignation.
Who is backing Faizabad sit-in, asks SC judge
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court hearing a case on disturbance
of public life due to the ongoing sit-in at the Faizabad interchange
regretted on Thursday that the life of believers in a Muslim country was
being made difficult, and wondered how a situation like this would help
glorify Islam.
“The protesters are undermining the
state and its institutions,” Justice Qazi Faez Isa bemoaned, adding that
the biggest crime in any society was fitna and fasad-fil-arz because it
disturbed the social order.
But before adjourning the
hearing to next Thursday, an apparently disturbed bench consisting of
Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Isa ordered the presence of senior
representatives of intelligence agencies in the court so that the
officials could get first-hand information about the court proceedings
instead of what was provided to them.
The court rejected
reports furnished by the intelligence agencies, saying there had been
no depth in them and that they mentioned only four names which had
already appeared in the media. It said their performance was not up to
the mark.
Apex court rejects reports furnished by intelligence agencies
Justice Isa said the court did not want any report based on
media reports, adding that media persons would make better reports than
this. The court, he said, wanted to see resolution of the matter, but
“we do not see any resolve on part of the government to settle the
situation”.
The Supreme Court had taken up the case on a
suo motu notice of the chronic traffic congestion and roadblock due to
the sit-in that entered the 17th day on Thursday and had sought a
comprehensive report on behalf of the ministries of interior and defence
as well as the Intelligence Bureau and the Inter-Services Intelligence.
While pointing towards Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf,
Justice Isa inquired whether he saw any indication that the protesters
would go back and whether any measures had been taken to halt the
circulation of nasty and abusive messages from the protesters.
The
court was at a loss to understand from where the protesters were
getting facilitation like the provision of food, electricity supply to
charge their megaphones and mobile phones and other services like chairs
and why no serious effort had been made to prevent rallies from joining
them regularly.
“We are not asking to spray bullets on
them, but want to know whether any investigation was ever made to
ascertain who were behind them, who were providing them the funds, on
which accounts the money was coming, what was their livelihood and
whether or not any foreign country was at their back. Even the cost for
placing containers is being borne by the people when millions are being
spent on intelligence agencies,” Justice Isa regretted, adding that what
was the purpose of keeping them.
“This is not the Pakistan of unity, faith and discipline or constitutionalism,” he said, adding that this has to come back.
“We
have forgotten Article 5 of the Constitution which demands loyalty to
the state and obedience to the Constitution and law, and if we do not
want to obey them then we should renounce the citizenship and leave
Pakistan,” Justice Isa suggested.
The reports only
stated that the Punjab government had been informed beforehand about the
intentions of the protesters, Justice Mushir Alam observed.
The
attorney general, however, explained that the government was showing
utmost restraint so that there should not be any “balwa” (hooliganism),
but hinted towards some positive headway in the coming days. “We do not
want bloodshed in the holy month of Rabi-ul-Awwal,” Ashtar Ausaf said,
adding that the federal government was trying its level best to resolve
the situation through negotiations.
The concrete
measures that had been taken by the government could be shared with the
court but only in chambers, he said, but when the court asked him to
furnish in writing, the AG requested the same should not be made part of
the record. Even the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority had been
asked to block the nasty messages on the social media, he said.
The
court, however, was surprised when the AG informed it that the Nov 21
order of the Supreme Court on the sit-in had been sent to the
protesters.
Islamabad Advocate General Mian Rauf,
meanwhile, told the court that the capital administration had registered
18 cases against the protesters and arrested 169 of them. He regretted
that an eight-year-old boy had lost his life because he could not reach
hospital in time due to traffic congestion.
“Do you
think this is something ordinary?” Justice Isa asked and observed that
the protesters would go away the moment they understood what Islam had
ordained by stating that the killing of one man was like murdering the
entire humanity.
“Who is responsible for the death of the boy?” the judge asked and said he already had burdened with the soul of the minor.
The
court highlighted how important the city like Rawalpindi was which
housed strategic assets, including the GHQ, asking what would happen if
the situation went worse.
The court was not happy with
the filthy and abusive language being used by the protesters, but
thanked them for hurling abuses against the judges. The court made it
clear that it was not going to assume the responsibilities of the
government, but only wanted to see the matter resolved.
TLY chief Khadim Rizvi orders followers to end sit-ins across country after govt gives in to demands
After the weeks-long protest that virtually paralysed the capital and saw several people losing their lives,
the government has finally given in to the demands of protesters camped
out at Faizabad Interchange with Zahid Hamid resigning as the Federal
Law Minister.
The protest leaders called off sit-ins that
have been hampering daily life in cities across the country after their
list of demands were accepted by the government.
The minister's resignation comes in the aftermath of Saturday’s botched operation against protesters
at Faizabad and 'successful negotiations' with leaders of the
demonstration late Sunday night, official sources and state broadcaster
PTV say. Six people were killed while hundreds were injured during the
operation that was eventually suspended.
Sit-ins called off
TLY leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi while addressing a press
conference at the protest site ordered his followers all over the
country to end the sit-ins and go home. He also announced an end to the
strike being observed today and called for opening businesses and shops.
Rizvi said he and his followers had set out towards the capital solely for the protection of Khatm-i-Nabuwwat.
He
alleged that propaganda had been done against his group to create the
impression that they had been sent by someone to Islamabad.
The army chief and his representative Maj Gen Faiz Hameed acted as guarantors for the agreement, Rizvi said.
He lashed out at media representatives for not showing his press conference live.
Hours
after the sit-ins were called off, the authorities began releasing
protesters arrested during the operation at Faizabad on Saturday.
Punjab
Rangers DG Maj Gen Azhar Naveed oversaw the release of protesters and
handed over cheques worth Rs1,000 to each released protester as fare for
their travel home. Twenty-five protesters have been released so far.
Demands agreed to by the government
The government has agreed to the following demands of
Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) in order to end the sit-in,
according to a document circulating among journalists bearing signatures
of the protest leaders and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, among others.
- Remove Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid from his position immediately. "Tehreek-i-Labaik will issue no fatwa [religious decree] of any kind against him."
- The report prepared by Raja Zafarul Haq-led committee will be made public within 30 days and whoever is named in the report for being responsible for the change in the election oath will be acted against under the law.
- All protesters arrested between November 6 until the end of the sit-in from across the country will be released within one to three days according to legal requirements. The cases registered against them and the house arrests imposed on them will be ended.
- An inquiry board will be established to probe and decide what action to take against the government and administration officials over the operation conducted by security forces against protesters on Saturday, November 25. The inquiry should be completed within 30 days and action will be taken against those found responsible.
- The federal and provincial governments will determine and compensate for the loss of government and private assets incurred from November 6 until the end of the sit-in.
- The points already agreed to concerning the Government of Punjab will be fully implemented.
The document ends by crediting Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed
Bajwa and his representative team for their "special efforts" that led
to the agreement being signed.
"We are thankful to him [Gen Bajwa] for saving the nation from a big catastrophe," the document concludes.
Besides
the interior minister, the document bears the signatures of TLY leader
Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Interior Secretary Arshad Mirza, two other protest
leaders and Maj Gen Faiz Hameed, who facilitated the agreement.
the following demands of TLY have also been accepted by the government, according to Khadim Hussain Rizvi:
- A board of clerics led by Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri will be set up to probe remarks made by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah against the persecution of Ahmedis. Sanaullah will have to accept the decision made by the board.
- No difficulty will be faced in registering cases under clause 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (blasphemy law)
- No leniency will be given to those convicted by courts for blasphemy
- No ban will be imposed on the use of loudspeakers
- The foreign and interior ministries will take steps for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui after taking her mother and sister in confidence
- The holiday of Iqbal Day on November 9 will be revived
- Two representatives of Tehreek-i-Labaik will be included in the panel assigned to decide changes in the textbook board. The officials will push for inclusion of translation of the Holy Quran and chapters about Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) and Muslim leaders.
- The chehlum of martyrs will be held on January 4 at Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh
- Every year, November 25 will be observed as "Martyrs of Prophet's honour day"
The law minister's resignation was the chief demand of the
agitating parties, who have been staging a protest sit-in — today being
its 20th day — in the capital to press the government for his removal.
According to Govt channel, the minister presented his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to bring the country "out of a state of crisis".
Abbasi has accepted the minister's resignation and a notification in this regard will soon be issued by the Cabinet Division, DawnNews reported.
"I made the decision to resign in a personal capacity," Hamid was quoted as saying by government sources.
Hamid reiterated that the Elections Act 2017 had been prepared with the consensus of all parliamentary political parties.
The
protesters amassed at the Faizabad bridge belong to various 'religious'
parties, including the Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya
Rasool Allah (TLY) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST), and had been
calling for the sacking of the law minister and strict action against
those behind the amendment to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath in the Elections
Act 2017 ─ which had earlier been deemed a 'clerical error'.
Police have lodged three cases, including one over the death of a child due to the protest, against Rizvi and other protest leaders and participants.
Containers removed, placed again
The protesters at Faizabad started packing up their
belongings and police started removing containers placed around the
protest site around 8am.
However, the protesters forced
authorities to block the area using containers again, saying they will
not allow the roads to be opened until the sit-in is formally called off
by the protest leaders.
After the sit-ins were called off by protest leaders later in the day, the protesters started packing up to leave.
Deciding against using force
On Sunday, the federal government tasked the Punjab Rangers
to handle the agitated protesters in Faizabad and other parts of the
twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Around 1,000 Rangers personnel
were deployed in Islamabad.
Earlier, the civil and
military leadership had decided against use of force to disperse
protesters, during a meeting at the Prime Minister House. Authorities
decided to engage protest leaders "with influence" instead, saying the
use of force against protesters had been discouraged in favour of a
political settlement.
On Saturday, a day-long operation
was launched by the Islamabad police, with the help of Frontier
Constabulary (FC) personnel and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs),
against religious protesters who had all but paralysed the twin cities
of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for over a fortnight.
However,
the armed operation failed to clear the protesters from Faizabad
Interchange. Soon after the operation in the twin cities began,
demonstrations broke out in several other cities, while protesters
chanted anti-government slogans and blocked major roads. In many areas,
protesters attacked LEAs and damaged public property.
After
demonstrations spread throughout the country, the civil leadership
sought assistance from the armed forces. Chief Of Army Staff Gen Qamar
Javed Bajwa flew in from the United Arab Emirates for a meeting chaired
by Prime Minister Abbasi, and attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal
and Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence Naveed Mukhtar at
Prime Minister House.
According to military sources, the
army chief had opposed use of force against its own people since the
population's trust in the institution of the army "can't be compromised
for little gains".
