Successful talks with banned TLP
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Talks between the government and the banned TLP were successful. The banned TLP agreed to end the protests and sit-ins.
The Interior Minister Shaikh Rasheed, in a video statement on Tuesday, said the protests across Pakistan, including the one outside the headquarters of the religio-political group in Lahore, will end.
He further said that all cases, including those filed under the fourth schedule, against the members of banned TLP will also be withdrawn.
Interior Minister said, should the French ambassador be sent back or not? A resolution will be moved in the National Assembly.
Under this agreement, the government would release those members of the banned TLP who were arrested for disturbing the peace, while those arrested in the remaining cases would be treated in accordance with the law.
Over 100 clerics from the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have been placed on fourth schedule list Anti-Terrorist Act 1997 by the Punjab home department,
Government Delegation
A government delegation, comprising the interior minister, Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Noorul Haq Qadri, SAPM Tahir Ashrafi, Governor Punjab Mohammad Sarwar and Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, held talks with members of the proscribed group in Lahore.
The first two rounds of talks with the banned organization were also attended by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the facts of what happened in Lahore could not be revealed. If it was to be negotiated with violent protesters, then why the party was banned?
Talking to media in Islamabad, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that he did not know what promises the government made with banned outfit.
Shahid Khaqan said that all of sudden the National Assembly was adjourned for two days. If the Prime Minister had not courage to speak in Parliament, he would have kept containers in the capital.
Fawad Chaudhry
On Monday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry disclosed about negotiations and said that the Punjab government and TLP second round of talks had successfully concluded.
Sheikh Rasheed
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, earlier in the day, had announced that 11 policemen, who were taken hostage in Lahore by the banned party had been released after negotiations carried out by the Punjab government.
Prime Minister
Addressing the nation on TV and Radio on Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed that the government is on the same page with the TLP regarding the protection of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s honour, however, expelling the ambassador of France is not the solution to Islamophobia.
