ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah’s (TLYR) sit-in is a serious security risk as no proper measures have been taken with regards to the security of protesters at Faizabad junction.
The TLYR’s organisers and administration have not sought no objection certificate (NOC) from the Islamabad administration for security measures and the protesters are left at the mercy of extremists.
The protesters who are sitting at Faizabad Interchange – which includes different main roads, service and link roads, markets, bus stands – is lacking security measures. The junction connects different main roads like Murree road, Islamabad Express Highway, IJP Road and many other link and service roads. Moreover, it can be reached through other passages too.
The untrained security personnel of TLYR have been deputed at different main roads including Islamabad Express Highway, Murree road and IJP roads. However, the protesting place can be reached easily through many other ways where TLYR security personnel are not deputed. The security personnel are armed with only sticks at their deputed places, lacking any walkthrough gates.
The major part of Faizabad market and bus stand is alongside the area where the sit-in is taking place, therefore, local vehicles have access to the ‘dharna’, without any proper arrangements for search mechanisms these vehicles pass along the area with passengers and luggage.
Some forest area also links the protesting site in many ways where no security personnel are deputed. Speculations and rumours had been rife over the past few days that a suicide bomber was arrested near the sit-in.
The capital administration has already served many notices to the organisers and activists of TLYR. Through those notices, the capital administration informed protesters that the sit-in was unlawful and its continued organisation was a contempt of court.
The notices reminded the protesters that in the wake of current law and order situation and recent terrorist attacks, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure (CrPc) has been imposed in Islamabad which bans large assemblies.
The protesters have not attained mandatory NOC and they are also not protesting in the designated place in accordance with the direction of Islamabad High Court. The passengers can be seen passing through Faizabad through different ways along with their luggage.
It is pertinent to mention here that there aren’t any arrangements made to search women passengers passing through Faizabad with luggage on their shoulders.
While talking to Pakistan Today, TLYR Media Adviser Peer Ijaz Ashrafi said that if any unpleasant incident happens here, the government will be responsible since it has not provided them with any security. “We already know that if we apply for NOC then we will not get the permission from the district administration,” Ashrafi said.
“We will not allow amendments in Islamic laws, we will die to protect the honour of the Prophet,” he further added.
After repeated attempts, the Islamabad administration was not available for a comment. Thousands of protesters have camped at the edge of Pakistan’s capital demanding the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid over key emission in Khatam-e-Nabuwwat clause in a constitution bill.
