Protesters agree to end sit-in after Zahid Hamid's resignation

Following the resignation of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid, ‘Labaik ya Rasool Allah Tehreek’ leaders and the government have reached an agreement to end the 22-day long sit-in in Islamabad on Monday.

Leaders of the protesting religious movement are expected to make the official announcement to end the sit-in shortly. After the announcement, sit-ins across the country are also expected to end.

Currently, the protesters are present at Faizabad Interchange in the federal capital, as well as various places across the country. As a result, the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway, along with other major road and rail links, remains closed.

So this is agreement b/w Fed govt & @KhadimRizviReal (TLY). It became possible with efforts of Pak Army @OfficialDGISPR . Following this, Zaid Hamid has tendered his resignation. Hope things will be settled. #FaizabadDharna#FaizabadOperation pic.twitter.com/5pbJWfiMcm

— Sabih Ul Hussnain (@SabihUlHussnain) November 27, 2017

According to the agreement, “The government will release the report of the committee set up to probe the change in the amendment to the Finality of Prophethood declaration for electoral candidates in the Elections Act 2017 within 30 days. It also states that those found responsible are punished according to the relevant laws.”

It also includes the condition that the workers of religious parties, arrested since November 6 will have to be released and cases against them dismissed.

An inquiry board will be set up to probe the events surrounding the government action against protesters on November 25 and fix responsibility, the agreement further states.

On Sunday, the minister voluntarily stepped down. Hamid tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, which is expected to be accepted later today, local media reported.

Following the crackdown against religious protesters camped out at Faizabad, protests erupted in other parts of the country as men loyal to various religious parties started holding disruptive demonstrations in various cities.

In Sialkot, scores of men attacked the residence of law minister. Fortunately, no one from his family was present.

In Karachi, demonstrations had started in the morning after protesters gathered at Numaish Chowrangi. Other areas that were affected include Teen Talwar, Boat Basin, Nipa, Sohrab Goth, Shahrah-i-Faisal near Stargate and Nursery, Hub River Road and Hassan Square, where both tracks of the road remained closed for traffic for hours.

Protesters blocked the busy Haider Chowk area in Hyderabad, while a large number of religious activists staged demonstrations in Sukkur, Umerkot, Mithi, Sujawal and other cities to register their protests.

A large number of protesters converged at Shahdara in Lahore. There were reports of similar protests at Imamia Colony and other settlements along the GT Road. Roads from Lahore to Gujranwala and Faisalabad also remained closed.

Protesters in Peshawar blocked the provincial capital's main Ring Road, which is also used for Afghan transit trade.

After violent clashes in the federal capital, workers of religious organisations also turned out on the roads of Quetta to vent their anger. The angry protesters blocked the main Hockey Chowk, causing a serious traffic jam in the city.