ISLAMABAD: The activists and supporters of Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasul Allah and Sunni Tehreek continued the blockade of Faizabad Interchange on the fourth consecutive day on Saturday multiplying the hardship of the residents, especially commuters and transporters.

Sunni Tehreek spokesman Naeem Raza told Dawn that the protesters would also block Airport Road and the motorway if the federal law minister was not sacked till Sunday. He said the administration of Islamabad had contacted the leaders of the Tehreek but refused to accept their demands.

Officials in the Ministry of Interior told Dawn on the condition of anonymity that the issue was likely to be resolved by Monday.

They expressed the hope that normalcy would start returning to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Monday, adding efforts were being made by the government in this regard.

Meanwhile, holding bamboos and iron rods, the protesters were seen exchanging harsh words with commuters who tried to cross the barricades placed by the protesters on Islamabad Expressway, Murree Road and I.J. Principal Road near the Faizabad Interchange where they have been staging a sit-in since Wednesday.

The commuters, passengers and transporters suffered a lot due to the road blockades. Similarly, the communication system was also disrupted after the administration suspended mobile phone and internet services in a radius of one km around the Faizabad Interchange.

The traffic police of Rawalpindi and Islamabad diverted all the vehicles plying between twin cities to alternative routes to facilitate the road users. Those commuting between Islamabad from Rawalpindi used Peshawar Road, IJP Principal Road, Murree Road, Double Road, 9th Avenue, Faqeer Aapi Road and Kashmir Highway.

The Rawalpindi police booked more than 250 activists, including the chief of the Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasul Allah Gujar Khan chapter, for blocking the GT Road to press the government to accept their demands, including the sacking of the federal law minister. However, so far no arrest has been made.

Eight cases were also registered against the participants of the sit-in during the last 24 hours by the capital police. The cases were registered under different sections of the Pakistan Penal Code for blocking roads and violating Section 144 etc.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2017