Islamabad: Another FIR lodged as protest by religious parties continues

ISLAMABAD: Authorities Saturday registered a third FIR against leaders of religious parties staging a sit-in outside Islamabad, as their protest entered fourth day today, crippling life in the federal capital and Rawalpindi.

Religious groups – led by the Tehreek-e-Labaik Yah Rasool Allah Pakistan and Sunni Tehreek Pakistan – have been at the Faizabad Interchange for four straight days now, bringing the cities to a standstill.

They are demanding removal of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid from his position, calling for an inquiry against him over a recent legislation, that was later reversed by the government, about Khatm-e-Nabuwat oath in Election Commission's nomination papers.

According to our correspondent, the third FIR has been lodged against Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Mir Afzal Qadri.

The two FIRs, earlier lodged at the Industrial Area police station, contain charges for rioting, unlawful assembly, and assaulting an official.

Sources said Punjab government has attempted to mediate between Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and leaders of religious groups, but over the past five days, only one meeting was held.

Reports said a few leaders and activists of the religious groups have been arrested from different parts of the Punjab, including Faisalabad. However, no action has been taken against them in the capital so far. – Samaa