Pakistan Rangers have fired teargas shells to disperse the supporters of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan in Wazirabad.
Local media reported that nearly 20,000 protestors were trying to take the alternative route to Islamabad, however, Rangers were not allowing them to move ahead.
Clashes between the two sides continued as media reported injuries on both sides.
Moreover, law enforcement agencies have blocked the GT Road at Chenab River bridge, 10km from the heart of the city. Rangers have placed banners inside and outside the city warning protestors not to try to cross the Chenab River Toll Plaza, otherwise they would be shot dead.
The marchers reached Wazirabad on Friday evening from Gujranwala and announced that they would be spending the night in the city. Meanwhile, media reported a sudden rise in the number of participants.
The two rounds of talks held between the government and TLP leaders in Islamabad have failed to reach a conclusion.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri represented the government while banned TLP chief Saad Rizvi and some other shura members took part on behalf of their outfit. Rizvi was shifted to Islamabad from Lahore on Wednesday night for the talks.
The government made it clear that Saad Rizvi had not been released and there would be no talks on the issue of closure of French Embassy in the federal capital.
“We have not closed the doors of dialogue but the writ of the state will be established at any cost,” announced Sheikh Rasheed during his Friday presser.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, presiding over National Security Council meeting on Thursday, also highlighted the need to resolve the issue of the TLP, emphasizing that the state would not surrender before the demands of the banned TLP.
Moreover, Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to address the nation regarding the prevailing situation tonight, in which he would be publicising the government’s narrative on the ongoing banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik’s (TLP) long march.
