ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to dig trenches on roads leading to Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as part of a strategy to prevent protesters from entering the capital ahead of rallies called by various political groups, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), ARY News reported.
Sources stated that the government has conducted a survey of routes connecting KP to Islamabad in view of the planned political demonstrations.
To block protesting convoys, trenches will be dug on the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, as well as at Chungi No. 26, Pirwadhai, I.J. Principal (IGP) Road, Aswal Mor, and Kati Pahari, sources added.
Additionally, the government has decided to erect hurdles and barricades along all primary pathways leading to Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Reehman on Sunday said that the long march has started, “Now, the government have only way out to provide relief to people”.
JI leader was leading the train march from Karachi Cantt railway station.
The Jamaat’s march has entered in its second phase as hundreds of the party’s activists accompanied to Hafiz Naeem.
Before launching the march to Islamabad, the party ended its protest sit-in at the Press Club Chowk and workers moved to the Cantt railway station.
“The protest will only end when the levy’s extortion will be ended,” talking to media JI leader said.
The Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a protest campaign against the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL), with sit-ins across the country, while a long march to Islamabad has been started from today to press for the demand.
Hafiz Naeem said, “no obstacle would stop us”. “If the extortion levy will continue, our protest would intensify with it”, he warned.
“It is not necessary that the situation remains under control after reaching to Islamabad,” JI chief said.
Hafiz Naeem earlier said that the party has finalized its preparations for the Islamabad March on September 20. “They are offering Rs 25 billion monthly relief but avoiding to take the levy back,” he said
He said the government has issued more advertisements than the value of the relief offered on petrol.
“We will not end protest sit-ins and the march until withdrawal of the petroleum levy,” JI leader said.
Hafiz Naeem said that the government has collected 1567 billion rupees levy on petroleum during the previous year.
