JUI-F sets 'Plan B' wheels in motion as govt beefs up security in Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday deployed police and paramilitary force in Rawalpindi as Jamiat Ulema-I-Islam-Fazl geared up to launch the 'Plan B' of its Azadi March.

The religio-political party, under its ‘Plan B', intends to block main roads in all the federating units of the country, including the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Wearing protective head gear and equipped with safety shields and tear gas, the police and FC personnel were seen manning Chungi Number 26 — a key entry point into Islamabad.

A day after ending its 14-day sit-in, the JUI-F is expected to spread their protests throughout the country; blocking major thoroughfares across in all four provinces is on their agenda.

Punjab

We will win this war against Imran: Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that the JUI-F would win this 'war' against Prime Minister Imran. He lashed out at the government on its failure to control inflation in the country.

"The adviser they have brought in from the World Bank doesn't even know if the price of tomoatoes are Rs17/kg or Rs250/kg," he said.

Haideri said that the incumbent government had lots its writ. He said that on the instructions of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, highways across the country had been shut down.

"Our move to initiate a lockdown is our compulsion," he said. "Tomorrow in this dharna, we will offer Juma prayers," he added.

He said that tomorrow (Friday) protesters will block everything from Shahrah-e-Resham to the Attock bridge.

"This movement will go on till Imran Khan doesn't resign," he said. "If you want to gauge our strength, wrestle with us and find out," he added. 

ISLAMABAD: The JUI-F has ended its dharna at Chongi No. 26. The party has announced that the dharna will resume on Friday at 11:00 am and Friday prayers will be offered at the venue. 

Sindh

The party intends to block the National Highway near Ghotki Toll Plaza and Kot Sabzal, in order to bring traffic flow to a standstill.

According to reports, Sukkur-Multan Motorway would also be blocked by creating hurdles near Rohri Interchange, while the Indus Highway - which connects Sindh and Punjab - would be blocked through protest on Kandhkot By-pass.

JUI-F continues dharna at Hub River Road

JUI-F workers continued their sit-in protest at the Hub River Road. The party's workers assembled at the road with blankets and pillows.

Protesters claimed that they would not leave the venue until Prime Minister Imran Khan did not resign.

JUI-F leader Rashid Mahmood Soomro arrived at the venue to address workers.

"I can tell you for a fact that Imran Khan is about to leave his chair very soon," he said.

Soomro said that neither had Plan A of the Azadi March failed neither did Plan B. He said that the current dharnas scattered across the country were more dangerous for the government than the Islamabad dharna.

"Won't the homes of the poor be regularised like the Bani Gala mansion," asked Soomro. "This dharna will go on till Prime Minister Imran Khan does not resign."

Balochistan

In country’s southwestern province, the JUI-F plans to suspend traffic by placing hurdles on Hub River Road — the gateway to Balochistan. Closure of Qutte-Chamma Highway is also reportedly part of the 'Plan B'.

Balochistan-Punjab border could also be blocked by creating hurdles near Dera Ghazi Khan's Taunsa Tehsil.

Khyber Paktunkhwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also braced itself for massive gridlocks, with JUI-F expected to close Grand GT Road at Hakimabad by dispatching its workers from Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshehra.

The JUI-F protesters from Dera Ismail Khan, Lucky Marwat and Bannu are also expected to block Indus Highway at Bannu Link Road, affecting traffic from Khyber to Karachi.

Swat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Bajaur, Chitral and other parts of Khyber Paktunkhwa would also face traffic jams as the party plans on closing GT Road and Swat Express near Chakadra.

Karakoram Highway is expected to be closed in Battagram and Mansehra districts.