The GT Road is still closed from five points in order to frustrate the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan activists’ march towards Islamabad.
The administration has planned to dig out trenches at five points on GT Road, besides suspending mobile phone service and closing down educational institutes and restaurants situated on the Grand Trunk Road, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Sources informed on Friday that the authorities had planned to dig out trenches at five points on GT Road in Jhelum to scuttle the movement of the religious marchers. However, the administration is facing difficulty in acquiring so many cranes for digging. The authorities have ordered cranes from different cities.
The proscribed TLP members began their journey last Friday from Lahore with the goal of reaching the capital, Islamabad, to pressure the government to release TLP Chief Saad Rizvi and demand for the expulsion of the French ambassador. They have reached Wazirabad till the Friday evening and would continue their journey from there tomorrow
The economic fallout of the road closures thanks to the banned TLP’s week-long protest has reared its ugly head in the shape of the paucity of food articles and oil tankers halt.
In Jhelum, petrol pumps have shut down due to petrol supply shortage in the city and the fuel has started selling in black. The agencies are selling petrol for Rs250 to Rs400 in black.
Sources said that in fruit and vegetable markets, eatable things have become rare. All educational institutes and restaurants situated on GT Road, Jhelum are still closed.
On both sides of River Jhelum, the administration has deployed Rangers and police officials. Sources said that all preparations have been made to stop the onward march of outlawed TLP rally participants.
Reporter Amir Kiyani