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The government finally reached an agreement with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) to end the protests that paralyzed the region for the past two weeks. A committee comprising PTI stalwarts and federal ministers negotiated with the members of the banned outfit overnight to eventually strike a deal.
The prime minister had summoned religious clerics at his residence, warning that the writ of the state will not be challenged and they will not be blackmailed. They were also reports that the army chief had met the religious leaders. The authorities then claimed a deal has been reached and the protest will be over and the blocked roads will be reopened to restore normalcy.
It is startling that the terms and salient features of the agreement have not been revealed. The ministers have kept mum on the deal. Religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, who played a key role in the negotiations, said it will be revealed at an appropriate time. A committee headed by Ali Muhammad Khan has been confirmed to oversee its implementation but what the deal entails is yet to be known.
It is beyond comprehension that the government has refused to divulge details about the deal. The government maintains it signed a deal to prevent bloodshed on the streets. We witnessed chaos as roads were blocked for days. At least five policemen lost their lives in the violent protests as the TLP threatened to march towards Islamabad. The government had no option but to negotiate and failure to maintain transparency will give rise to further concerns.
The government should inform the people and parliament about the agreement. The prime minister was supposed to take the nation into confidence over the matter, but the address was cancelled. The nation has the right to know about the agreement held with a proscribed outfit. This has also set a dangerous precedent that the state can sign clandestine deals with banned groups.
It is surprising that not enough questions are being raised about the government’s secret agreement. It can also give an opportunity to other proscribed groups to pressure the government and then reach covert deals. The nation needs to know at what terms we have agreed to strike a peace deal with such fringe groups.
