A three-member government team has been directed to negotiate with members of Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan, the banned militant outfit which has held Lahore hostage with its protests since Friday.

Two policemen were killed on Friday night, and several injured, after clashes with TLP supporters who wanted to march to Islamabad to demand the release of their leader Saad Rizvi who has been detained since April.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is reported to have spoken to Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri and asked him to to go to Karachi to hold negotiations with the TLP.

"The government believes in resolving issues through dialogue," said Qadri.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad who returned from the UAE to attend these negotiations will also be joined by Punjab Law Minister Muhammad Raja Basharat.

Twin cities remain partially shut

Several roads in and around Lahore remain blocked and offered alternative routes to residents.

Islamabad police issued a series of tweets on Saturday alerting residents of the blocks and traffic routes.