AMN
The army was called in on Sunday to deal with the aftermath of a botched operation against protesters from religious parties that paralysed the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for over a fortnight.
Government on Sunday evening called in Punjab Rangers to the aid of civilian law-enforcement agencies and tasked them with handling the agitated law and order situation in Islamabad and clearing the sit-ins held in Faizabad and adjoining areas, DawnNews reported.
As many as six people were killed and hundreds wounded as law enforcement agencies finally acted under court orders to disperse protesters who had amassed at Faizabad Interchange.
But the ill-planned action only added fuel to the demonstrators’ fire and not only failed to dislodge them, but also fanned smaller protests in other parts of the country.
The ancestral home of Law Minister Zahid Hamid was also attacked in Pasrur, near Sialkot. Nearly all major motorways and highways in Punjab remained blocked for traffic.
Lahore saw the strongest backlash, with protesters blocking all routes in and out of the city and bringing life to a standstill.
Schools, universities closed
The All-Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) announced that all private schools would remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, Nov 27 and 28, in light of the “prevailing situation”. They are expected to reopen on Wednesday, Nov 29, according to APPSF President Kashif Mirza.
The Punjab government on Sunday said all public and private schools, colleges and universities in the province would remain closed on Nov 27 and 28 as per a Higher Education Department notification.