Islamabad’s Red Zone sealed off

Islamabad’s sensitive Red Zone was sealed off on Sunday following the Clash in neighbouring Rawalpindi which left nine people dead on Muharram 10.
According to reports, authorities took this added measure after reports of arrangements being made for a protest in the Red Zone following the funerals of those killed in the Rawalpindi clash.
Containers were placed to block entry points to the Red Zone, which houses the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s House, the PM’s Secretariat and the Parliament House, along with the diplomatic enclave.
Separately, funeral prayers of three people killed in Rawalpindi clashes were held in Liaquat Bagh.
The prayers were led by JUI-S chief Samiul Haq. Other clerics present were Fazlur Rehman Khalil and Hafeez Jalandhri.
Clerics on the occasion advised the people to remain calm and disperse peacefully after the prayers. Strict security arrangements were made on the occasion.
Separately, the Punjab government appealed to the citizens of Rawalpindi to remain indoors as there was no relaxation in the curfew.
A Punjab government’s spokesman said besides curfew Section 144 is also imposed in the city.
The spokesman also said no one is allowed to hold public gathering in Liaquat Bagh and other areas.
Authorities imposed a curfew in the city of Rawalpindi, where sectarian clashes on Friday left nine people dead and more than 60 injured, and spawned retaliatory violence in at least two other cities.
Sources said that the administration was making efforts to calm the situation down with the help of clerics and other notables.
Authorities have extended the curfew for another 24 hours, officials said.
According to reports, administration fears that violence could erupt again.
The Punjab government imposed curfew in different parts of Rawalpindi including Potohar Town, Rawal Town, Raja bazar, Cantonment areas after violent clashes between two groups and the curfew will remain in place unless the situation is improved, an official said.
Tension is still prevailing in the different areas of the city while people are also being forced to stay indoors to avoid any untoward incident. The law enforcement agencies have also arrested eight suspected persons on Saturday in various areas of the city.
The clashes between the two groups erupted when a mourners’ procession of Muharram 10 was on its way through Fawara Chowk in the town. A group of miscreants at 3:00pm reportedly snatched guns from police personnel deputed for security, and opened fire, sources said.
The panic spread and the unknown miscreants set a portion of the cloth market in Raja Bazar on fire. The situation soon got out of control and sensing the gravity of the situation, the Rawalpindi commissioner and the inspector general of police had requested the authorities to impose a curfew.
The law enforcers also placed containers in Faizabad and blocked Murree Road while security has been heightened at all worship places of the city.