COAS suggests PM to handle Islamabad sit-in peacefully

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday spoke with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi over the sit-in in Islamabad.

“COAS telephoned [the] PM. [He] suggested to handle [the] Islamabad sit-in peacefully avoiding violence from both sides as it is not in national interest and cohesion,” Director General Inter-Serviced Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted.

A policeman was martyred earlier today during clashes between law enforcement agencies and protesters, after an operation to clear the Faizabad interchange commenced early Saturday morning.

According to the police, the martyred official suffered a deadly blow to the head in I-8/4 sector, as protesters pelted stones at security officials during the operation.

Heavy contingents of the police, Frontier Corps [FC], and Rangers were deployed to the interchange.

Dozens of protesters were detained by law enforcement agencies.

Efforts are underway to disperse the crowd through the use of tear gas and water cannons.

The federal capital was rendered paralysed after members of a religious party camped out at the Faizabad Interchange on November 8 to record their protest.

The operation was commenced on court orders following the expiry of the midnight deadline set by the district administration.

Prison vans and ambulances are parked at the site. Helicopters and drones are being used by the authorities for aerial surveillance.

Around 8,000 security officials are taking part in the operation, including 3,000 FC personnel.