A large number of JUI-F activists and supporters on Monday entered the Red Zone after scaling a gate and overcoming other obstructions, prompting police and FC personnel to step aside. 

The activists, armed with clubs, appeared in large numbers and entered the prohibited area after breaking open the gate the administration had locked to prevent their entry. The situation emerged after talks between Maulana Fazl and the PML-N leaders failed on the venue for the protest. 

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) decided to hold a sit-in in Islamabad today (Monday). However, no decision was taken whether the sit-in would be held outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan or elsewhere. Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he would lead the sit-in by the PDM. Fazl is also head of the  PDM and announced that the activists would hold a sit-in outside the Supreme Court.

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) had submitted a request to the deputy commissioner (DC) Islamabad on Sunday, seeking permission to hold a sit-in outside the Supreme Court. The JUI-F had also requested security for the participants and other related arrangements. 

JUI spokesperson Aslam Ghori said a request had been submitted to the DC Islamabad for a sit-in outside the Supreme Court.

“We had previously conducted Million March, Azadi March and other programmes. Government ministers had a meeting with us about the change of venue but we have told them that our protest will be peaceful and there will be no change of venue,” said spokesperson. 

It should be noted that the federal ministers are trying to change the location of the sit-in. Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, during a meeting with PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, had made an appeal to change the location of the protest sit-in. 

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the location for the protest sit-in would be decided on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, caravans of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) had started reaching Islamabad from different parts of the country including Punjab to join the protest. 

From Gujranwala, a caravan of PML-N left for Islamabad from Khurram Dastagir’s residence. Attaullah Tarar’s brother Farooq Tarar is also with the PML-N activists.

The workers were given breakfast at the camp of former MPA Taufeeq Butt before leaving for Islamabad. The convoy, led by former MPA Taufeeq Butt, halted in front of Gujranwala Cantonment and the workers raised slogans in favour of Pakistan Army.

A convoy of Muslim League-N also left for Islamabad from Mian Channu. The convoy headed by former Punjab Assembly deputy speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari left for Islamabad from Rojhan area of Rajanpur. 

From Jampur, the convoy under the leadership of Sher Ali Gorchani moved towards the federal capital.

A convoy of PML-N left for Islamabad from Khanewal.  A convoy led by former MPA Chaudhry Amjad Ali Javed departed from Toba Tek Singh.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s convoy left Faisalabad for Islamabad, while PML-N and Peoples Party workers left for Islamabad individually. According to Faisalabad city president Sheikh Ijaz, PML-N workers will gather at Islamabad Interchange and proceed forward. 

Workers of the PML-N and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam from Sargodha district also left for Islamabad. Convoys of the PML-N from Hafizabad, Jahanian and Kamalia were also on their way to Islamabad to participate in the protest sit-in.

In Mianwali, a big convoy of PML-N left Rokhri House to join sit-in in Islamabad.