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Published 01 Nov, 2021 02:41pm

TLP to continue long march till Saad Rizvi's release

The leaders of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan have decided not to call off their long march to Islamabad till the release of party chief Saad Rizvi despite successful negotiations and an agreement with the government, reported Aaj News on Monday.

The TLP's leadership said the workers and supporters of the party would peacefully stay near Wazirabad at G T Road till the implementation on the agreement.

The banned TLP was demonstrating against the detention of Saad Rizvi and ouster of French ambassador for nearly two weeks with the protesting procession moving towards Islamabad for the approval of their demands.

The government placed barriers across Punjab and Rawalpindi to thwart the TLP from reaching to Islamabad.

At least five policeman were killed and hundreds of them sustained injuries during clashes with the supporters of the party in a bid to restrict them moving towards the federal capital. The crisis led the Ministry of Interior to deploy Rangers across Punjab for 60 days and authorize them all the powers conferred to the police.

After a 12-day closure, the residents of Rawalpindi breathed a sigh of relief as the authorities reopened all roads for traffic and the protesters ended demonstration in the city following successful agreement between the TLP and the government.

However, the land route from Wazirabad to Gujrat and Gujranwala was still disconnected with heavy contigents of police and Rangers deployed there. The closure of roads have caused shortage of necessary items and edibles.

So far the blockade near River Chanab has not been removed, while the educational institutions in Wazirabad, Alipur Chattha and other affected cities are closed. Meanwhile, internet service has not been fully restored in the areas.

According to the main points of the agreement between the TLP and the government, the banned group withdrew its demand from the government to expel the French ambassador.

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