By Our Web Desk
KARACHI/LAHORE/ISLAMABAD– Residents of various cities across were stuck in traffic jams on Monday as a religious party held its protest in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and other cities.
The protests followed arrest of Saad Hussain Rizvi, the chief of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, who was detained in Lahore.
Rizvi was taken into custody after Zuhar prayers on Monday from Jamia Masjid Rehmat ul Aalameen on Multan Road, Lahore.
The police didn’t give any reason to arrest him, Pir Ashrafi said, adding that the TLP chairperson had announced a protest on April 20.
Saad was elected as the TLP chief in November 2020, by the party’s Shura after his father Khadim Hussan Rizvi’s death. The announcement was made after the funeral prayers.
A senior police official in Lahore told SAMAA Digital that no FIR has been filed against the TLP leader but he was detained as a “pre-emptive measure”.
Karachi’s II Chundrigar Road, MA Jinnah Road and their surrounding areas, including the road connecting Tower to the Governor House, was left jam packed with vehicles due to the protest.
Orangi Town number 4, Baldia number 4, Hub River Road, Liaquatabad and Korangi were some of the other areas where long queues of vehicles could be seen on roads.
Police dispersed protesters from Star Gate to allow the flow of traffic to return to normal.
In Lahore, the traffic flow was disrupted in several areas such as Chohang and Multan road due to protests. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse protests in the Yateem Khana Chowk area.
Meanwhile, traffic jams were also reported on the city’s Shahdara Road and on Ferozepur Road near the Shanghai Bridge.
In Islamabad, Athal Chowk was closed for traffic, causing problems for citizens. Protests also broke out in Bhara Kahu and roads leading to Murree and Azad Kashmir from the federal capital were also blocked for traffic.
The entry points of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were also closed for traffic, leading to more problems for citizens of both countries.
At the Laiquat Bagh Chowk in Rawalpindi, protesters pelted stones at buildings, causing fear and panic in the area.
Reports of protests from Jhelum, Naushahro Feroze and Multan were also received.
