In order to thwart any explosive situation in the context of banned Tehreek-e-Labaik’s protest march, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Federal Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad to reach Lahore and hold dialogue with the proscribed party’s leaders, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Sources informed on Saturday that Prime Minister called Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and asked him to reach Lahore from Karachi. The minister reached the provincial capital in the noon. 

The prime minister also asked Interior Minister Sh Rashid to head to Lahore. The minister, too, reached Lahore boarding a special plane along with Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur. 

The government team comprising Sh Rashid, Mr Qadri and Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Raja Basharat will hold parlays with the defunct TLP leaders.

Sources informed that Mr Qadri made telephonic contacts with different Ulema. He stated that the government believed in resolving issues with talks.

The religious affairs minister held that it was the foremost responsibility of the government to provide security to people’s lives and property.

Lahore roads open

The city administration has opened several roads in Lahore which were blocked earlier due to defunct Tehreek-e-Labaik protest, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

The roads which have been opened for traffic are included: Babu Sabu, Saggian Bridge, Shahdara, Thokar Niaz Beg, Ferozpur Road, Jail Road, Wahdat Road, Mall Road and Canal Road.

The Lower Mall Road, Ravi Bridge, Secretariat Chowk, Mozang Chungi, Chohang, Mohanwal and GT Road have also been opened. 

The only road from Moon Market to Scheme Mor is still closed for traffic. 

Earlier, the ongoing wave of protests and sit-ins by the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) for the third consecutive day has badly hit the traffic system in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as main thoroughfares connecting to Faizabad Interchange and other adjoining roads have been blocked by the authorities.

Lahore has also witnessed the worst traffic snarl due to different road blockades and diversions. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has suspended the Internet and mobile service in the areas where the TLP is holding its protests. 

The authorities have moved containers to Islamabad ahead of the TLP march to the federal capital. All bus stations in Faizabad have been sealed and the traffic system has been badly disturbed in Faizabad and its adjoining roads. 

Since yesterday, the Metro Bus Service (MBS) has been partially suspended in the twin cities. But today, the authorities have partially resumed the MBS in Lahore. 

Reportedly, the authorities today are providing substitute routes keeping in view the TLP’s protests presumably in order to lessen the commuting woes. But the diversions are causing even more traffic snarls than ever especially at Faizabad Interchange and its adjoining roads. 

The authorities have diverted traffic from Ninth Avenue to Stadium Road. The road which is going from Ninth Avenue to Rawalpindi has been diverted from two-way road to IJP Road. 

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The direction of traffic coming towards Rawalpindi from Islamabad via Faizabad Interchange has been diverted to the Islamabad Highway. 

The traffic flow heading to D-Chowk and Nadra Chowk has also been provided a substitute route. For exit and entry in the Red Zone, the authorities have provided a route from Nadra and Ayub chowks. The traffic going to Islamabad Highway from IJP Road has been diverted to Faisal Avenue.

In Lahore, the road going to Dubai Chowk from Scheme Mor has been closed for traffic. The road going to Scheme Mor from Kharak, Liaquat Chowk has also been shut for commuters. The road leading to Scheme Mor from Gulshan Ravi Road and Samanabad has been closed.

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The road going to Yatim Khana from Band Road and road leading to Motorway from Babu Sabu is closed. Shahdra Chowk, Sagian Bridge, Old Ravi Bridge is completely closed for traffic. 

The road leading to Scheme Mor from Moon Market and Bijli Ghar is shut.

The road going to Saggian Bridge from Kehcheri Road and road heading to Pir Makki from Data Darbar are closed for all traffic. 

Reporters Saghir Chaudhry and Awais Kiyani