LAHORE: The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and the federal government have yet to reach an agreement to end the ongoing sit-in at the Faizabad interchange, Islamabad, which has entered its fifth day.

The protest, organised by TLP, aims to express solidarity with the people of Palestine and pressure the government to address their demands concerning the ongoing war in Gaza.

The TLP has presented three main demands to the government -- send food and medical aid to the oppressed Palestinians, officially boycott of all Israeli products and declare Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a terrorist.

The timing of the sit-in has sparked discussions on social media, with users questioning the decision to hold such a protest at the Faizabad interchange. Civil society and human rights activists have previously held protests in various cities against Israel’s actions, condemning the killing of innocent people, particularly women and children.

TLP spokesperson Usman Bastami told Dawn that the sit-in aims to make the government to declare the Israeli prime minister a terrorist and ban all Israeli products in Pakistan.

He said the government should send medical and food aid to the people of Palestine.

Bastami explained that the TLP had initially campaigned at the district level across the country, presenting their demands to the government, but received no response. The TLP has consistently campaigned against what they describe as Israel’s terrorist activities in Palestine and voiced concern over the killing of thousands of innocent people.

Bastami also appealed to the Muslim world to take action to stop the war and provide assistance to the Palestinians.

He said they were holding negotiations with the government but could not reach any agreement. “We will continue the sit-in till the acceptance of our demands.He said the TLP Emir Saad Rizvi will tell the protesters about the status of negotiations in his speech in the night.

The sit-in has caused significant disruption in Rawalpindi and Islamabad traffic.

Punjab Minister for Information Azma Bukhari was unavailable for comment on the matter.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar told Dawn that negotiations with the TLP are being handled by the federal capital police.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024