A tense situation is prevailing from Lahore to Islamabad via GT Road due to an ongoing protest march by the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) activists. The stalemate has caused a number of casualties and left dozens injured. The situation has resulted in the deployment of Punjab Rangers for 60 days to maintain the law and order amid the ongoing protests staged by the TLP. Religious zealots have brought almost all the country to a standstill following the failure of negotiations regarding the acquittal of TLP chief Allama Saad Hussain Rizvi. As expected, a terrible situation prevailed in Lahore as club-wielding protesters staged a sit-in in Chowk Yateem Khana and later started marching towards the federal capital. The response of a religious party is unacceptable. The protesters gathered on the call of the TLP are becoming more and more uncontrollable. It seems nobody is safe at the hands of extremists who do not like to adhere to the golden principal of tolerance taught by our Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Sensing the dangerous situation, Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned the protesters of dire consequence if they would take the law in their hands. So far, the protesters are busy harassing commuters and have brought all the traffic to a standstill on the GT Road, while the government is making every effort to thwart their rally. In this situation, government is also facing severe criticism from the media and politicians for allowing such religious hooligans to take the country hostage. It is a matter of great concern that the leaders with extremist views are challenging the writ of the government. The government needs to take action against those clerics who openly talk about violence and bloodshed. These so-called leaders and their followers are taking law in their hands, harassing people and are not allowing ambulances with seriously ill people to reach hospitals. It is high time that the government takes serious action against these violent protesters. Government needs to convince them to quit violence and if they are not ready to budge, then the only option should be tough action against these extremists. Therefore, the paramilitary forces should be allowed to maintain the law and order till the restoration of peace.
