ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, while warning the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), said that Pakistan was not a “monarchy” and the law has to prevail in the country.
“We are not in a monarchy. It’s a government by the law and law has to prevail,” said Fawad in a news conference on Friday. The minister claimed that the outlawed organisation itself was clueless about what they wanted from the government.
“They [TLP] do not know what they want. First, they said French envoy issue should go to Parliament, we sent it to Parliament and it’s with the committee,” said Fawad.
The minister shared that the TLP’s demand of releasing their chief Saad Rizvi could not be dealt with as the matter was in the courts.
“So far 11 policemen have been martyred will someone pay the price for their blood? If this nation does not stand behind its police and forces then why would they fight against someone,” said Fawad.
Scholars shying away from truth: Fawad
The information minister alleged that the religious scholars were doing a big “disservice” to the country by not saying the truth.
“When you (religious scholars) call us at night you say they are doing injustice, but when it comes to media you do not speak up. It’s the biggest disservice that our religious scholars are [doing by] shying away from saying the truth,” said Fawad.
The information minister warned that the state would not allow the TLP to cross its “limit” and emphasised that the state wants to avoid blood on the roads. He added that even in the negotiations the government has been urging the TLP to return to their homes.
“If you think you can get your demands fulfilled by using sticks, martyring police then this will not happen,” assured Fawad. He added that the negotiations need to happen under the constitution as Pakistan was not a monarchy.
Fawad asks people to return to their homes
While saluting the law enforcement agencies of the country, the information minister urged the people to return to their homes.
“I want to say to the people who are part of this mob to go back home. I also tell to their family members to ask their people to come back,” said Fawad. Government cannot tolerate this joke anymore, he added.
NSC lauds police for ‘professionalism, restraint’
With the deaths of multiple policemen and scores injured, the National Security Committee lauded the law enforcement agency for its “professionalism and restraint”.
“Committee praised the police for their professionalism and restraint despite being directly targeted and suffering casualties, including four martyrs and over four hundred injured,” read the statement issued after the huddle. However, the huddle warned that the state’s restraint should not be seen as a sign of weakness.
The statement said that the committee “unanimously resolved to guard sovereignty of the state from all internal and external threats and not allow TLP to challenge its writ in any way”.
This committee met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier today. The meeting was attended by relevant federal ministers, national security adviser, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, all three services chiefs, DGs of ISI, IB and FIA.
The NSC was given a detailed briefing on the country’s internal security situation and the ongoing agitation by the TLP.
“No group or entity will be allowed to cause public disruption or use violence to pressure the government,” said PM Imran Khan. He also instructed that all “measures and actions” should be taken to enforce the law.
Sheikh Rashid says door for talks still ‘open’
Earlier, today Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the option to hold negotiations with the outlawed TLP was still on the table, however, no one would be allowed to challenge the writ of the state.
Addressing media in Islamabad following the NSC meeting, Rashid confirmed that police would work under Rangers as per Article-147 in Punjab.
He said that his ministry took the decision yesterday after four policemen were martyred in clashes with TLP workers, while more than 80 were injured, eight of them critically.
“The writ of the state would be established in any case but we did not close negotiations door with the TLP yet,” he added.
“We are trying to settle the issue amicably and it is a possibility that Minister of Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri and I will hold talks with the TLP again in the evening today,” announced Rashid.
TLP resumes march from Gujranwala
The TLP resumed its march towards the federal capital from Gujranwala after offering Friday prayers near the General Bus Stand of the city.
According to sources, thousands of activists travelling in cars, buses and on foot have resumed their journey towards Islamabad. The participants were served food and blankets by local TLP workers during their stay on Thursday night.
The TLP workers are heading towards Wazirabad via Aziz Cross and it is expected their next stop would be at Wazirabad chowk on the Grand Trunk Road.
Similarly, the security personnel are equipped with riot gear and ready to deal with any law-and-order situation.
It is also learnt that about 500 metres from the Chenab toll plaza near Chenab River, the Punjab Rangers have marked a ‘red line’ and put up a notice nearby warning the protesters not to breach the line or face consequences.
