New Delhi: Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership has decided that the army will not participate in the crackdown on the religious protesters, who have been blocking the main highway into Islamabad, demanding the resignation of federal law minister Zahid Hamid.

Following the violence, a civil-military huddle chaired by Prime Minister ShahidKhaqanAbbasi and attended by Army Chief General QamarJavedBajwa, ISI Chief NaveedMukhtar, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Home Minister AhsanIqbal, advocated a "political settlement", and said the army would only safeguard the important buildings and government installations in Islamabad.

Earlier the military had asked for 'clarifications' regarding some matters before they step in on government's demand following a failed operation to disperse the protesters and asked for the "optimal use of police" before stepping in.

Citing the Islamabad High Court order, which had called for the eviction of protesters, the communique said that the court had barred the use of firearms against the protesters and calling the army in implies the use of force.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) also restored transmission of private television news channels across the country, which went off air on Saturday when the civilian law enforcement agencies were retreating after the enraged protesters had violently responded to their crackdown.

The ongoing protest was caused by a missing clause in the Elections Act 2017 passed in September, angering the protesters, who are objecting to the changes made in Khatm-i-Nabuwwat or finality of Prophet Muhammad in an oath.

Religious groups, led by firebrand cleric KhadimHussainRizvi of political party Tehreek-e-LabaikYaRasool Allah, have been demanding the law minister's resignation. Other fundamentalist groups like Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat and Sunni Tehreek Pakistan have also joined in.