Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other opposition parties have joined hands with Tahirul Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to demand Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s resignations over the Model Town incident.

Punjab government has reportedly called in three companies of Pakistan rangers to keep a check on law and order situation. The companies would secure sensitive installments, including the assembly and governor house, both situated on Mall Road, local media reported.

Sources privy to the home department have reported that at least three companies of Rangers Punjab would be positioned after the government denied permission to opposition parties to protest on Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam also know as Mall Road. There is a fear of violent clashes between police and the protesters, as the participants of the protest seem keen to seek justice for the Model Town killings.

The protest rally was scheduled kicked off at noon and all routes from Chairing Cross Chowk to GPO Chowk have been blocked for all traffic. All education institutes on Mall Road have also been closed to ensure student security.

The united opposition includes PTI, PPP, Awami Muslim League, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and PAT. The opposition parties had announced to commence anti-government protests from January 17.