Anti-government protesters in Pakistan called off a two-week sit-in on the capital's main highway on Wednesday, but began what they called a "Plan B" aimed at crippling the country's roads and ousting Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The protests, led by Fazl-ur-Rehman, head of the conservative Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) party, began with the "Azadi" (freedom) March on October 27 from the southern city of Karachi.

Thousands of protesters reached the capital Islamabad on Oct. 31, where they have been holding a sit-in demanding Khan's resignation and a fresh election, over allegations of electoral fraud and mismanagement of the economy - accusations the government denies.

On Wednesday, Rehman told supporters, who waved distinctive sticks in the black-and-white stripes of the party, to return to their home states to begin "Plan B".

"Our strength is converged here, and our associates are out on the roads, they need your help and assistance," Rehman told the crowd from the top of an articulated lorry that has served as a stage for nightly addresses to protesters.

"Your presence here has cut the roots of the government. In the next phase, we will demolish this trunk."

Earlier on Wednesday, JUI-F workers holding party flags blocked the western Quetta–Chaman highway linking the country with Afghanistan, resulting in a long queue of trucks laden with goods, footage from private news channels showed.

"The roads are already blocked with our workers but we are going to sit with them," said Qutb-ud-Din, one of the many party supporters dismantling the makeshift tent camp in Islamabad. "We are going to begin Plan B."

Rehman is a veteran politician who can mobilise significant support in religious circles across the country, especially in the southern and western states of Balochistan and Sindh.

If successful, the expansion of the sit-in could also disrupt Sindh's capital Karachi, Pakistan's most populous city and its commercial hub.

Rehman's campaign is the first concerted opposition challenge that cricket star-turned-politician Khan has faced since he won a general election last year, promising to end corruption and create jobs for the poor.

The protests come as the government is battling high inflation and a sluggish economy.

Khan ran on a platform of economic reform, but his government - like many of its predecessors - was forced to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a $6 billion bailout in July.

The opposition says Khan's government is illegitimate and is being propped up by the military, which has ruled Pakistan for about half of its history and sets security and foreign policy.

The military denies meddling in politics and Khan has dismissed the calls to step down.

Anti-government protesters in Pakistan called off a two-week sit-in on the capital's main highway on Wednesday, but began what they called a "Plan B" aimed at crippling the country's roads and ousting Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Anti-government protesters in Pakistan called off a two-week sit-in on the capital's main highway on Wednesday, but began what they called a "Plan B" aimed at crippling the country's roads and ousting Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protests, led by Fazl-ur-Rehman, head of the conservative Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) party, began with the "Azadi" (freedom) March on October 27 from the southern city of Karachi. Thousands of protesters reached the capital Islamabad on Oct. 31, where they have been holding a sit-in demanding Khan's resignation and a fresh election, over allegations of electoral fraud and mismanagement of the economy - accusations the government denies. On Wednesday, Rehman told supporters, who waved distinctive sticks in the black-and-white stripes of the party, to return to their home states to begin "Plan B". "Our strength is converged here, and our associates are out on the roads, they need your help and assistance," Rehman told the crowd from the top of an articulated lorry that has served as a stage for nightly addresses to protesters. "Your presence here has cut the roots of the government. In the next phase, we will demolish this trunk." Earlier on Wednesday, JUI-F workers holding party flags blocked the western Quetta–Chaman highway linking the country with Afghanistan, resulting in a long queue of trucks laden with goods, footage from private news channels showed. "The roads are already blocked with our workers but we are going to sit with them," said Qutb-ud-Din, one of the many party supporters dismantling the makeshift tent camp in Islamabad. "We are going to begin Plan B." Rehman is a veteran politician who can mobilise significant support in religious circles across the country, especially in the southern and western states of Balochistan and Sindh. If successful, the expansion of the sit-in could also disrupt Sindh's capital Karachi, Pakistan's most populous city and its commercial hub. Rehman's campaign is the first concerted opposition challenge that cricket star-turned-politician Khan has faced since he won a general election last year, promising to end corruption and create jobs for the poor. The protests come as the government is battling high inflation and a sluggish economy. Khan ran on a platform of economic reform, but his government - like many of its predecessors - was forced to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a $6 billion bailout in July. The opposition says Khan's government is illegitimate and is being propped up by the military, which has ruled Pakistan for about half of its history and sets security and foreign policy. The military denies meddling in politics and Khan has dismissed the calls to step down.

'Plan B': Pakistan anti-government protesters leave capital to block roads countrywide

Opposition parties in Pakistan would observe July 25 as black day, saying the mandate of the current government was based on the stolen votes.

A Multi-Party Conference (MPC) of opposition groups met in Islamabad at the invitation of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief and a known cleric Fazlur Rehman to discuss a plan of action to deal with the government.

Rehman told media at the conclusion of the day-long moot that opposition parties considered the mandate of the current government was based on stolen votes.

"The opposition decided to observe July 25 when Imran Khan won elections to become Prime Minister (last year) as black day and it would be followed by rallies in the countries," he said.

The parties also agreed to remove the chairman of Senate.

Rehman said that the current budget was anti-people and opposition will continue its protest against it in Parliament.

The opposition also agreed to press for orders to bring lawmakers Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar who were arrested after the attack at an army check post in the tribal region.

The MPC meeting is expected to be dominated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/glorious-days-of-pakistan-peoples-party-over-148046">Pakistan People Party</a> (PPP).

Opposition leader in Parliament and PML-N president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nawaz-sharif-not-allowed-to-meet-family-even-on-eid-225529">Shahbaz Sharif</a> attended the moot along with Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq and other leaders.

PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led a five-member delegation in the meeting. His other nominees include former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani, former Senate chairmen Raza Rabbani and Nayyar Bukhari and others.

In a setback to the organisers, Jamaat-i-Islami did not attend the meeting. However, the Balochistan National Party (Mengal), which is an ally of the Iman Khan government, was present.

"The other objective is to plan how to mobilise the masses if the budget is approved, as people are angry due to a new wave of inflation as a result of measures announced in the budget," a PML-N leader said.&nbsp; 
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Opposition parties in Pakistan would observe July 25 as black day, saying the mandate of the current government was based on the stolen votes. A Multi-Party Conference (MPC) of opposition groups met in Islamabad at the invitation of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief and a known cleric Fazlur Rehman to discuss a plan of action to deal with the government.

Opposition parties in Pakistan would observe July 25 as black day, saying the mandate of the current government was based on the stolen votes. A Multi-Party Conference (MPC) of opposition groups met in Islamabad at the invitation of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief and a known cleric Fazlur Rehman to discuss a plan of action to deal with the government. Rehman told media at the conclusion of the day-long moot that opposition parties considered the mandate of the current government was based on stolen votes. "The opposition decided to observe July 25 when Imran Khan won elections to become Prime Minister (last year) as black day and it would be followed by rallies in the countries," he said. The parties also agreed to remove the chairman of Senate. Rehman said that the current budget was anti-people and opposition will continue its protest against it in Parliament. The opposition also agreed to press for orders to bring lawmakers Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar who were arrested after the attack at an army check post in the tribal region. The MPC meeting is expected to be dominated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People Party (PPP). Opposition leader in Parliament and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif attended the moot along with Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq and other leaders. PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led a five-member delegation in the meeting. His other nominees include former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani, former Senate chairmen Raza Rabbani and Nayyar Bukhari and others. In a setback to the organisers, Jamaat-i-Islami did not attend the meeting. However, the Balochistan National Party (Mengal), which is an ally of the Iman Khan government, was present. "The other objective is to plan how to mobilise the masses if the budget is approved, as people are angry due to a new wave of inflation as a result of measures announced in the budget," a PML-N leader said.

Pakistan's Opposition to observe July 25 as black day

Pakistan police have arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report.

Haq, the 82-year-old cleric was stabbed to death on November 2 by unidentified attackers at his residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Police have arrested three suspects involved in the murder of the chief of the hardline political party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). The suspects have been shifted to a safe cell under strict security and are being grilled, The Express Tribune reported.

The suspects were taken into custody on Saturday with the help of Haq's mobile phone data and geo-fencing of the private housing society where he was stabbed to death, the report said.

Three different teams were set up for the investigations of the murder.

The teams are working under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Operations and City Police Officer Rawalpindi Abbas Ahsan.

Haq, a heart patient, was killed by unidentified attackers while he was resting in his room, his son Maulana Hamidul Haq said.

His personal guard had gone out to the market and when he came back he saw Haq lying "in a pool of blood" on the bed, Hamidul added.

Haq was also the chief of JUI-S religo-political party was an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Haq's assassination shocked the entire nation as political leaders and religious scholars strongly condemned the high-profile killing, demanding that the government bring the culprits to justice.

Pakistan police have arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report.

Pakistan police have arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report. Haq, the 82-year-old cleric was stabbed to death on November 2 by unidentified attackers at his residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. Police have arrested three suspects involved in the murder of the chief of the hardline political party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). The suspects have been shifted to a safe cell under strict security and are being grilled, The Express Tribune reported. The suspects were taken into custody on Saturday with the help of Haq's mobile phone data and geo-fencing of the private housing society where he was stabbed to death, the report said. Three different teams were set up for the investigations of the murder. The teams are working under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Operations and City Police Officer Rawalpindi Abbas Ahsan. Haq, a heart patient, was killed by unidentified attackers while he was resting in his room, his son Maulana Hamidul Haq said. His personal guard had gone out to the market and when he came back he saw Haq lying "in a pool of blood" on the bed, Hamidul added. Haq was also the chief of JUI-S religo-political party was an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Haq's assassination shocked the entire nation as political leaders and religious scholars strongly condemned the high-profile killing, demanding that the government bring the culprits to justice.

Pakistan Police arrest 3 suspects in JUI-S chief's assassination case