The federal government has taken strict measures to curb the violent protests of the banned outfit after its links with India came to light. The government says elements challenging the state’s writ will not be tolerated under any circumstances and the banned organization will be treated as a military wing. The government has deployed Rangers in Punjab to stop the protests while the Pakistan Army has also been ordered to be ready.
TLP protest
The banned Tehreek-e-Lubaik Pakistan (TLP) has launched a protest against the blasphemous sketches in France, demanding the deportation of the French ambassador. Violent protests in other cities, including Punjab, have killed and injured dozens, including police officers Private property was also damaged. After these incidents, the government had declared Tehreek-e-Libek null and void and arrested Amir LP, Saad Rizvi.
Demand for release of Saad Rizvi
Activists of the banned Tehreek-e-Libek once again staged a series of protests in Punjab on 12 Rabi-ul-Awal demanding the release of Amir Saad Rizvi, which was announced to be extended to Islamabad. Several measures were taken in several cities, including digging trenches and installing containers, but the banned outfit workers are unwilling to back down.
Restrictions on organization
Tehreek-e-Labeek Pakistan was formed under the leadership of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of a party called Tehreek-e-Labeek or Rasoolullah. On July 26, 2017, the Election Commission of Pakistan registered and the organization was given a crane mark. The current Amir’s successor is Saad Hussain Rizvi who is currently in jail. On April 14, 2021, Tehreek-e-Libek was banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The government of Pakistan had banned Tehreek-e-Lubaik Pakistan on April 15, 2021, under Rule 11 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
Government negotiations
Prime Minister Imran Khan on October 23 assigned talks to Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid and Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, who held talks with leaders of the banned Tehreek-e-Libek, and later on Sunday, the government claimed that Negotiations have been successful, but TLP workers will remain on strike until Tuesday. The federal interior minister said that they were working on the demands of the banned organization and that hundreds of workers had been released.
Cabinet decision
In a meeting of the Federal Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan yesterday, it was decided that no concessions would be made to the banned organization and the TLP would be treated as a military organization.
The Federal Minister for Information said that under no circumstances would the elements challenging the state writ to be tolerated. The first six times have been a spectacle and we have shown great patience which is obviously because the people have been harmed, the TLP leadership wants the blood of the people to be seen on the streets.
TLP Nexus with India
A report submitted by the Punjab government to the Supreme Court has revealed that the brother of the banned TLP finance secretary is in touch with India. According to the bank statement attached to the report, remittances are being sent to the account of the TLP finance secretary’s brother. On July 5, 2021, a similar shipment was sent to this account by Rajesh Himmat Lal and Mukesh Himmat Lal who are currently based in UAE. Cellular company accounts and Hindi channels are also being used for funding.
The Punjab government submitted the report to the Supreme Court on October 11, 2021, challenging the Lahore High Court’s order declaring the detention of the TLP chief illegal.
The report also revealed that 524 TLP workers were included in Schedule IV of ATA 1997 due to their illegal activities, out of which 195 have not yet submitted bail bonds, which indicates abusive behaviour.
According to the report, a WhatsApp group called Sirat-ul-Mustaqeem is being run, whose admin is based in India, in which 117 Indian members have also been identified.
Since the TLP leader and his allies are unwilling to back down even an inch from their extremist stance, it is likely that the enemy intelligence agencies and the so-called Islamic militant groups under their auspices will benefit. Kar Saad Rizvi’s ideology and rhetoric can be used for their nefarious purposes.
Responsibility of state
The banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik has emerged rapidly in the last few years due to its violent protests. The organization, led by former Amir Khadim Hussain Rizvi, has provoked violent protests in the past and continues to do so. In every previous protest, the government has been negotiating to resolve the issues amicably and releasing the activists of the organization from jails.
Now, once again, the series of protests by the banned organization is spreading and precious lives of citizens, including police personnel, have been lost during this violent protest. It is now the responsibility of the state to deal with such mischievous elements as they deserve and to stop this series of negative politics and violent protests in the country.
