TLP to call off Faizabad dharna after negotiations with govt: sources

ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) will end its dharna shortly after the government managed to negotiate successfully with the party, sources told Geo News on Monday. 

However, TLP workers who are taking part in the protest at the Faizabad Interchange have still not let the place. The workers are expecting party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi to officially announce the end of the sit-in protest before they leave for their homes, said sources. 

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Noor-ul-Haq Qadri had been chosen by Prime Minister Imran Khan to spearhead talks with protesters. 

TLP workers have staged a sit-in at the Faizabad Interchange, causing massive disruption to the daily lives of twin cities residents.

To maintain law and order, the authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have suspended network while Metro Bus service and public transport is also shut due to which passengers are facing difficulties in reaching offices, airport and railway stations. 

The Islamabad Police has blocked Faizabad Interchange from all sides with containers and issued a traffic plan. 

Traffic plan

• Heavy traffic coming from Lahore will move towards Rawalpindi via T-Cross Rawat while traffic from Peshawar will be directed towards Motorway via 26 No Chowngi.
• Jinnah Avenue from Kalsoom Plaza towards Express Chowk are closed for traffic. Commuters can take Nazimud Din and Margalla roads. 
• Commuters can take Luqman Hakeem road as alternate route for Geo Chowk towards Poly Clinic Chowk, Fazl e Haq road. 
• Rawal Dam Chowk towards Faizabad is closed from both sides. Commuters can take Rawal Dam Chowk to Park Road, Tramari, Lethrar, Khanna and Express Highway
• Zero point towards Faizabad road is closed from both sides, use Kashmir Highway Ninth Avenue and IJP road.
• Khanna Pul towards Faizabad Express Highway is closed from both sides. People coming from Koral to Islamabad can use Khanna Pul to Lethrar Road Tramari Park Road & Rawal Dam Chowk
• 9th Avenue to IJP towards Faizabad both roads are closed for traffic. People can commute from IJP via Gohar Shaheed Chowk, Gandum Godam Chowk, Faqir Aipee Road to Kashmir Highway. Similarly, commuters can use IJP road to reach Kashmir Highway via 9th Avenue
• People coming from Rawalpindi towards Islamabad via Murree Road can commute via Stadium Road 9th Avenue or Via Koral, Khana Pul, Lethrar Road, Tramari, Park Road, Rawal Dam Chowk.
• Dhokri Suhrwardy Sareena Chowk to France Turn both roads are closed for traffic. People moving to Red Zone, Secretariat and Diplomatic Enclave can commute via Embassy Road, Nadra Chowk to Radio Pakistan Chowk or Margalla Road.