Deadlock persists as sit-in protest continues

F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: The hundreds of activists and supporters of Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah continued on Tuesday the blockade of Faizabad Interchange for the 16th consecutive day.
The stalemate between the government and the protesters is persisting as the fourth round of talks between the two sides ended inconclusively.
The protesters have occupied the Faizabad Interchange, which connects Rawalpindi and Islamabad, multiplying hardships of the people of the twin cities.
Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah has been demanding action against those responsible for making now-withdrawn amendment to the clause pertaining to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath for electoral candidates and the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
The government does not want a showdown resulting in another Lal Mosque [Lal Masjid] or Model Town like incident,” Ahsan Iqbal said while appearing optimistic for productive talks with the protesters. He said there is no legal justification of protest after a bill passed unanimously by both houses of the parliament concerning the finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nabuwwat).
Online adds: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqaan Abbasi had to face humiliation by his own party members when members of PMLN Parliamentary committee criticized own government over Faizabad sit-in on Tuesday.
According to Online, resonance of sit-in echoed in PMLN parliamentary committee meeting and some party members asked, “Who is responsible for bringing them here from Lahore and then seated them on the junction of twin cities?” during the meeting.
Committee members questioned government’s writ saying that people of twin cities have been plunged into plethora of problems due to sit-in.
“Where is the government and what state institutions have been doing?” asked committee members.
A committee member mocked that army has to called for every task so its help should be sought to end sit-in, adding he questioned as to how long would we remain hostage of sit-inners? while all clauses of law regarding Khatam-e-Nabuwat have been restored to original shape.
Meeting demanded of the government to investigate who brought them here and who is bearing the expenditures being incurred by them.
Prime Minister kept on smiling and replied: force did not use because government wants peaceful end of sit-in through talks, it will end very soon as higher judiciary also took notice and services of clergymen have been taken to disperse sit-in.