Lahore, Pakistan: Lahore Traffic situation is becoming worse as protestors of Tehrik Labbaik Ya Rasoolallah (TLYR) have virtually controlled 80 small and big intersections and roads in provincial capital.
Police is reluctant to take any actions against protestors and thousands of students are yet to reach their homes because traffic jams started almost same time when classes in colleges and universities ended.
TLYR was protesting in Lahore since 10 days and extended deadline of close down Lahore till Thursday April 12. However, Punjab government did not initiate serious negotiations with TLYR leadership which has been declared absconder by anti-terrorist court of Islamabad.
It may be mentioned that TLYRA leaders, including Khadim Hussain Rizvi, were declared proclaimed offenders by an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad in cases filed during and after 2017 Faizabad sit-in. List of absconders include Pir Afzal Qadri, Maulana Inayatullah and Sheikh Azhar. Punjab Police did not arrest leadership though majority of leaders were present in Lahore. Sources claim that there was pressure on Punjab Police not to arrest TLYRA leadership. It may be mentioned that TLYRA got over 12,000 votes in by-election of NA-120 Lahore and it is expected that this religious group will have potential to ruin 10,000 to 20,000 of vote PMLN-N in several constituencies of Punjab.
The deadline given by TLYR expired on Thursday 4 pm and supporters of TLYR took control over Chungi Amersadhu, Chung, Shadara Moor, Ferowala and Molanwal.
Around 72 roads in Lahore and main communication arteries joining important entry / exits junctions of cities are blocked and Lahore is most affected city as of now:
Following routes are closed by TLYR protestors:
- Shahdara Chowk – GT Road
- Garoghwala Chowk – GT Road
- Babu Shabu – M2
- Thokhar- Multan Bypass – M2
- Lari Adda
- Raiwand Road – Ali Town towards Thokar
- Band Road
- Molanwal- Multan Road & Pakka Meal
- Mall Road
- Ferozpur Road – Kalma Chowk
- Qainchi Flyover
- Dargahwala chowk
- Azadi Flyover
- Khyaban Iqbal DHA
- Walton
- Ring Road
- Chungi Amar Sidhu
Islamabad / Rawalpindi
- F6/1
- T Chowk in Rawat
- Muree Road
Gujranwala
- Mureedkay and Kamokay
- Minawali (all road)
- Lalamusa (GT Road Blocked)
- Gujrat(GT Road Blocked)
- Deeplapur (Okara Road Blocked)
- Pakpattan (Deepalpur Road Blocked)
- Liaqat Bagh
(Gathering in progress)