ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have beefed-up security on Sunday as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) called for a countrywide protest on Nov 25 after the detention of its leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi and hundreds of his supporters in the last two days.
The provincial government in Punjab imposed “Section 144” banning public gatherings and rallies.
The government also banned the public display of weapons, holding of rallies and protests, the use of loudspeakers across the province till December 1 in addition to barring any speeches which incite violence.
The TLP media secretary Sahibzada Usman told Arab News that nearly 2,500 TLP workers were apprehended from Punjab alone.
Authorities in Islamabad placed shipping containers on the roadsides near Faizabad Interchange and on roads leading toward “Red Zone” that has important state buildings including the Parliament, Supreme Court and the diplomatic enclave.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, on Sunday, through a message on Twitter assured that all roads in the Pakistani capital are open.
Islamabad police also issued a statement saying “Commuters may travel as per their schedule. Rangers and police are deployed for security and to maintain law and order.”
Police warned that “strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to breach the law or disturb public tranquility.”
Authorities in Pakistan, on Friday night, detained TLP leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi for 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.
TLP leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi has been detained under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance
Rizvi had been very vocal lately in denouncing Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi in blasphemy case warning to stage street protests against the verdict and in case she left the country. Other TLP leaders had been delivering inciting speeches against the judiciary and senior military officers after the apex court’s ruling.
