Pakistan: Islamabad authorities issue protesters final warning Nov. 17 /update 2

Event

Pakistani authorities reportedly issued a final warning on Friday, November 17, to Islamist protesters obstructing the Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad. The protesters have refused to comply with the government's ultimatum to disperse. Officials have placed shipping containers on adjacent roads to contain the protesters, resulting in significant traffic disruptions within and around Islamabad, and have expressed a willingness to soon use force to break up the sit-in. Violent clashes between Islamist demonstrators and police, along with additional traffic disruptions, are possible within the coming hours.

Context

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered protesters to end their ongoing sit-in at the Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad on Thursday, November 16. The demonstrators, representing several Islamist parties, have reportedly obstructed the Faizabad Interchange, which connects Islamabad with nearby Rawalpindi, since last week.

The Islamabad protests were spearheaded by several protesters from Islamist parties demanding the removal of the Pakistani federal law minister, Zahid Hamid, for his alleged revision of an oath (Khatm-i-Nabuwwat​) which testifies that the Prophet Muhammad is the final prophet in Islam in a constitutional bill (Elections Act 2017), and for easing the state's position on Ahmadis as non-Muslims. The revision to the oath has since been reversed, and proclaimed by Pakistani officials to have been a clerical error.

In 2007, violent clashes between supporters of fundamentalist preachers and Pakistani authorities in Islamabad resulted in over 100 deaths.

Advice

Individuals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are advised to anticipate transportation disruptions surrounding any demonstrations, to avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence, and to monitor developments to the situation.

Due to the prevailing terrorist threat in the region, individuals should remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).