LAHORE: Life in and around Lahore came to a grinding halt as protestsby a religious group continued for the second day on Sunday, even after several protesters were detained by security forces for blocking roads and setting vehicles on fire.
The demonstrators are protesting in different areas such as Shahdara Chowk, Faisal Chowk,Mohlanwal, Pakka Mile, Multan Road andLohianwala. Traffic is being guided through alternate routes, resulting in roadblocks in various parts of the city.
Moreover, security has been beefed up on all routes leading to Jati Umra. Heavy contingents of police have been deployed near Jati Umra, whereas containers have been summoned for placing on different spots on Raiwind Road.
On Saturday, protests took an ugly turn when demonstrators blocked Mall Road and other areas and set a vehicle on fire at Shahdara Chowk. They also blocked railway tracks in the area.
Lahore police had to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters. Further contingents of Rangers were also summoned to the site of protests. Metro bus services were suspended and several protesters have been detained.
Commuters face severe mobility issues as public bus services as well the Speedo Bus Service remained suspended for the second day.
Metro Bus Service in Multan and Rawalpindi is also not functional.
A bus passenger shared that he hails from Swat and has been waiting since two days to travel back and meet his family.
A similar situation in being faced by train passengers as railways services remain suspended for the second day. Railways officials said that only train trains arrived to Lahore that too after a delay of almost eight to 10 hours.
An official said that the services to Faisalabad section have been closed. A passenger shared that he has been stranded since past two days. “We don’t know what to expect,” he said.
Moreover, the motorway has also been non-operational causing further inconvenience to passengers. Traffic has been disbarred from travelling on Motorway M1, M2 and M3.
All educational institutes across Punjab will remain closed for two days in light of the Islamabad operation and the ensuing protests countrywide, the provincial minister for education announced on Sunday.
According to Punjab Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, all private and state-run educational institutes in the province will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, keeping in view the law and order situation after Islamabad operation.