Pakistan PM Imran Khan's address to nation on TLP protests postponed

Citing sources, ARY News reported the PM was supposed to brief the nation on the protests but it was postponed as he wanted to hold more consultations on the matter.

Meanwhile, thousands of TLP workers continued their sit-in in Wazirabad for a second day on Saturday awaiting instructions from their leaders to move ahead.

According to a report by Dawn, traffic and internet services remained suspended in the city while businesses also remained closed.

A senior official earlier told Dawn that the next TLP-police encounter was expected at two major security points that had been established at Chenab and Jhelum rivers, the only route for the march to reach Islamabad.

TLP resumed its march from Gujranwala on Friday, with thousands of activists traveling in cars, buses and on foot continuing their journey towards Islamabad as Pakistan Rangers drew the 'red line'.

A senior official told Dawn that the next TLP-police encounter was expected at two major security points that had been established at Chenab and Jhelum rivers, the only route for the march to reach Islamabad.

Despite Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed's Thursday night warning to the TLP to call off its march or face "consequences", the protestors spent the night near the General Bus Stand on the Grand Trunk Road and resumed their rally on Friday.

The rally comprising around 5,000 participants is heading towards Wazirabad via Aziz Cross.

This time, the Minister said, the Rangers would lead the command, while the Punjab Police would assist them as per the standard guidelines issued.

Hundreds of Rangers and police personnel on Friday were deployed at the Chenab toll plaza to counter the marchers.

The security personnel also have armoured vehicles with them and are equipped with riot gear, according to police sources.

Punjab Rangers drew a 'red line' 500 metres from Chenab toll plaza. The Rangers warned the protestors to not to breach the line or face consequences.

"Attention: Beyond this line, the responsibility for law and order lies with Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), who have been given the authority to open fire at the miscreants. All the people are strictly warned to return to their homes," the banner installed by the paramilitary force reads.

In Rawalpindi, the authorities blocked the entry and exit points to the city.

A heavy contingent of Frontier Constabulary, Elite Force and Rangers have been deployed at Faizabad Interchange to deal with any untoward situation.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced that 32 members of a "proscribed organisation" had been arrested in a nighttime operation. "These people were doing hateful propaganda through fake social media accounts and a major action has been started against fake news and propaganda," he tweeted, saying further arrests would be made soon.

He said TLP activists were receiving "social media help" from India and some other countries, adding that the government was contacting these countries to have such people expelled and the PTA had been issued directions in this regard.

All three bridges over Chenab between Gujrat and Wazirabad towns have been filled with containers and at least 100 containers have been placed throughout the pathway of the bridges.

The local administration has already sealed the entry and exit points of the Gujrat district, whereas both the bridges over Jhelum river between Sara-i-Alamgir town of Gujrat and Jhelum city were blocked on Wednesday.

Internet services have remained suspended in Gujrat district for the last many days. In view of the security situation due to demonstrations and rallies being organised by the TLP, Pakistan Railways suspended Tez Gaam train operations on Thursday.

At least four policemen were killed and over 250 injured as thousands TLP protesters clashed with law-enforcement personnel near Sadhoke in Punjab's Gujranwala district on Wednesday. TLP claimed several of their members were also killed.

The latest round of protests comes as the TLP exerts pressure on the Punjab government for the release of its chief, Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi, the son of its late founder Khadim Rizvi. The younger Rizvi has been kept in detention by the Punjab government since April 12 for “maintenance of public order".

TLP announced to march on Islamabad, prompting the government to block the routes leading up to the capital.