KARACHI: The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah on Monday ended their protest sit-ins in Karachi on the directives of their central leadership which reached an agreement with the federal government in Islamabad.

In the second half of the day, roads were opened for vehicular traffic after the sit-ins that blocked key intersections in the city for the past two days ended.

Protesters belonging to the Tehreek — an umbrella organisation of several parties representing the Barelvi school of thought — staged sit-ins at Tower, Numaish, Al Asif Square, Teen Hatti, Liaquatabad No. 10, Orangi Town No. 5, Baldia No. 4, Power House Chowrangi North Karachi, Korangi No. 2, Korangi No. 5 and Landhi No. 6.

“We formally announced here to end the sit-in at 12pm,” a Tehreek spokesman said. “Within the next couple of hours the sit-ins at all 10 spots came to an end and the participants dispersed peacefully.”

He said since the leadership had reached an agreement in Islamabad, the strike call stood cancelled automatically. “The same message was also conveyed to traders and their bodies across Sindh.”

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2017