Lahore, Pakistan: On November 21, the opposition Leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah suggested Federal Government to call Pakistan Army in to deal with law and order situation in Faizabad Rawalpindi. The suggestion failed to attract attention of Federal Government. Today, (after four days), The Federal Government called Army in to control situation in Islamabad after killing of a policeman and spread of violence all over the country.
Talking to media persons on November 21 in the Parliament House in Islamabad, Khursheed Shah said that the government should contact the establishment for amicable solution of the fortnight long sit in of religious parties at Faizabad as it is constitutional obligation to resolve the issues collectively. Shah who had been in politics and in parliament since three decades could see what could follow if civil government would take action against protestors under the order of Supreme Court of Pakistan.
According to PMLN insiders, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Interior Ahsan Iqbal were also of the view to call Pakistan Army to handle the situation after receiving orders from Supreme Court to clear Faizabad. However, a group of hawks sitting in federal government were of the view that the writ of civil government would further marginalise if Army would come to manage the situation. Insiders say that three Federal Ministers and one female State Minister were of the view that government must keep Army away from the situation.
PMLN insiders are of the view that Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif was also in favour to call Army in to handle the situation but his voice was snubbed in a meeting that took place in the presence of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The Federal government after trying its best to negotiate with protestors decided to take police action against them and action was initiated on Saturday morning.
The Islamabad administration backed by around 8,000 police, Rangers and Frontiers Constabulary (FC) initiated the Operation on Saturday morning against sit-in protesters at Faizabad. Initially the law enforcers succeeded to some extent as they encircled the protesters, uprooted their tents and apprehended many of them.
However suddenly things started slipping away as protests pelted stones at security forces, killing one of policemen and injuring many more. They also burnt a couple of vehicles as well at Faizabad Interchange.
Amy was called in Islamabad to protest the Capital after violence spread almost everywhere in twin cities.
In the meantime, protests also erupted in other cities as well against the Faizabad Operation. People blocked various roads and even resorted to violence against PML-N leaders and media persons.
Till filing of this report, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi and all other towns on G.T Road were closed down after wide-scale protests.
