KARACHI: A traders’ body has called for reopening all blocked roads and restoring mobile Internet in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, saying the blockades were causing huge financial losses.
Authorities blocked Islamabad’s entry and exit points as well as key highways after the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) religio-political party this week announced its plan to march on Islamabad to stage a protest outside the United States embassy to express solidarity with Palestinians.
Police in Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab said on Saturday nearly 100 personnel have been injured in clashes with supporters of the religio-political party heading to the federal capital from Lahore and other cities of the province. TLP claims 11 of its supporters have been killed, though there has been no confirmation of casualties from the government, police or rescue officials.
Kashif Chaudhry, president of the Markazi Tanzeem-e-Tajran Pakistan, said late Saturday that road closures and Internet suspension were greatly affecting businesses in the twin cities.
“Residents of the twin cities have been confined to their homes for two days,” he said in a statement. “There is a fear of shortage of essential commodities in the twin cities due to the closure of roads.”
Chaudhry shared that daily wage laborers had become unemployed due to the closure of roads and Internet, whereas traders were suffering severe financial losses due to the seizure of shipping containers loaded with goods.
“Goods worth crores of rupees are being spoiled in containers of vegetables, fruits and food items,” he said, urging authorities to reopen all roads and restore Internet service.
TLP marchers had reached Muridke on Saturday afternoon, with supporters continuing attempts to move toward the capital despite heavy roadblocks, according to local media.
The party, known for its street mobilization and confrontational politics, has repeatedly staged mass sit-ins and marches to Islamabad since its rise in 2017. Previous protests have often turned violent, resulting in extended clashes with police and days-long disruption of traffic on key highways leading to the capital.
“Nearly 100 officers and personnel of Punjab Police have been brutally assaulted and injured in attacks by Tehreek-e-Labbaik rioters,” the Punjab Police said in a statement posted on social media. “Police vehicles worth millions of rupees have also been damaged, while other government offices and vehicles were attacked, causing losses to the national exchequer.”
The statement noted a Gaza ceasefire had already been reached, adding: “When Muslims in Gaza are celebrating peace and thanking God, who are the TLP supporters in Pakistan representing by wreaking havoc here?”
According to an AFP report, TLP leaders said the protest was initially called to oppose the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, backed by Pakistan, but was now intended solely to express solidarity with Palestinians.
“We have no demands apart from showing solidarity with the people of Gaza,” senior TLP member Allama Muhammad Irfan told AFP. “We have no idea when we will reach Islamabad, but the government is being brutal with us. We are not negotiating with the government at all.”
Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said a day earlier authorities would not allow the protesters to enter the capital.
“There is no room for any radical activity in Islamabad,” he told reporters. “Why is an agreement that is acceptable to Hamas and Palestine not acceptable to you?”
