It has been 17 days since a sit-in staged by two religious parties at the Main Entrance of the Federal Capital – Faizabad Interchange – with a host of demands has almost decimated the route life in Twin Cities.
From the Parliament to the Courts and other negotiation forums, all means have been utilized to culminate the protracted sit-in organized by Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah and Sunni Tehreek; however, all efforts went in vain as so far both the sides refused to surrender to each other’s demands.
Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah led by Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi insisted that it would not withdraw from their demands; among them prominent were the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid, disclosure of inquiry report into amendment to the Khatam-i-Nabuwat (PBUH) declaration in Election Act 2017, and strict action against those responsible for the amendment.
Despite the fact the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the Capital administration to end the sit-in even with a force, the federal government remains reluctant to do so and keeps the ‘use of force’ as a last resort.
Prior to being compelled to use the last resort, the federal government on Tuesday named an Ulema Dialogue Committee which included Pir Hussain-ud-Din Shah as the Head, Pir Ziaul Haq Shah, Maulana Abdul Sattar Saeedi, Syed Habibul Haq, Professor Dr Sajid-ur-Rehman and Pir of Golra Sharif Syed Ghulam Nizamuddin Jami for further talks with the sit-in leaders, aiming at to end the Islamabad siege.
Separately, the Supreme Court of Pakistan also jumped into the issue and on Tuesday took notice of Faizabad sit-in.
The Supreme Court Judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa sought a detailed report from the interior and defence secretaries on November 23, and also asked the government to explain what steps had been taken to ensure freedom of movement which, according to him, was enshrined in article 15 of the Constitution.
In the meantime, the prolonged sit-in continues to irk the Citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and a sense of outrage has also been developed among them for being besieged time-to-time but remain destitute with mere hopes to witness the end of limbo soon.
Main thoroughfares connecting the Twin Cities including Express Highway, 9th avenue, all roads adjoining Faizabad remain blocked, resulting in overflow of traffic in alternative routes. In addition, the shutting down of Metro Bus Service has further added to woes of anguished people especially employees and students.
It all began after the Parliament passed the Election Bill 2017, though initially the debate mainly surrounded the Clause 203 of the bill which allowed the disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to head the ruling PML-N again; however another amendment in the Election Bill 2017 related to Khatam-i-Nabuwat declaration also sealed the limelight. The political and religious parties condemned the amendment and demanded its repeal.
Meanwhile, Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah and Sunni Tehreek held a long march from Lahore to Islamabad, seeking the fulfilment of their demands which mainly focused on the resignation of the law minister.
Though earlier the National Assembly on October 5 and later the Senate as well on October 10 passed the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2017 aimed at restoring the word “Oath” instead of “Declaration” in the nomination paper about finality of Prophethood (Khatam-i-Nabuwat).
However, the protesters remained adamant in their demands and refused to bow down to government’s appeals of calling off their sit-in.
