—Educational institutions to remain closed on Friday
LAHORE: The protests by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) workers against the acquittal of Christian blasphemy convict Aasiya Bibi continued for the second day on Thursday, paralysing daily life in various cities of the country.
Roads were empty and certain routes were blocked in major cities. Although, most of the routes that were closed a day earlier in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have now been opened been for traffic, some are still blocked.
In Karachi, traffic was blocked at nine points owing to ongoing protests. Star Gate at Shahrah-e-Faisal, Numaish, Liaquatabad No 10, Sohrab Goth, Korangi No 5, Bara Board, Baldia No 4 and New Karachi have been blocked for traffic.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, Charring Cross at Mall Road, Data Darbar, Shahdara Chowk and Ferozpur Road wer blocked by the protestors.
The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Faizabad Interchange was also blocked.
According to a motorways spokesperson, Pindi Bhattian-Lahore, Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad and Faisalabad-Gojra motorway were blocked for traffic.
Trains and flights were, however, operating as per schedule.
On Wednesday, following the protests, Section 144 was imposed across Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan barring the gathering of more than four persons in public places as well as pillion riding. Section 144 has been imposed till November 10.
Moreover, hospitals were put on high-alert to deal with any untoward situation arising out of the protests.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had also appealed the nation to remain vigilant against those who incite violence, warning that the state will take action against the violators to fulfil its duty of protecting the people.
“The state will fulfil its responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of people and take strict action against violators.” the premier had said while addressing the nation on TV and radio on Wednesday.
He had also said the reaction on the Supreme Court (SC) decision in Aasiya Bibi case by a small segment of society was inappropriate.
The Supreme Court had acquitted Aasiya Bibi on blasphemy charges on Wednesday after accepting her 2015 appeal against her sentence. On October 13, TLP chief Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi had threatened to “paralyse the country within hours if the Supreme Court set Aasiya Bibi free”.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO REMAIN CLOSED:
Due to ongoing protests and blockades on routes, majority of educational institutions across the country would remain closed on Friday.
Private schools in Karachi would remain closed on Friday, said a statement by the All Sindh Private Schools Association.
According to IBA spokesman, the exams for job portal under the university have been postponed.
Masters and PHD examinations in the NED University have also been postponed, said the registrar.
In an official notification by Punjab government, all public and privately managed universities and colleges in Punjab will remain closed on November 2, 2018.
All private schools in Southern Punjab will remain closed, said Private Schools Association South Punjab.
The supplementary exams under Punjab Secondary Education Board for Intermediate on November 2 and November 3 have been postponed too, said the Punjab government spokesman, adding that new dates will be announced later.
Private Schools Management Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also announced to close all schools on Friday.
According to Women University Swabi’s administration, the educational institution will remain closed on Friday. The Swat University administration has also said that the papers scheduled for Friday have been postponed and new date will be announced soon.
The All Pakistan Private Schools Association had announced that schools would remain closed on Thursday.
