Govt decides to ban radical party under anti-terror law
The government on Wednesday decided to ban a radical party under the anti-terrorism act after its supporters clashed with the law enforcement agencies for the third consecutive day, leaving seven persons dead and over 300 policemen injured.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told the media that the Tehreek-i-labaik Pakistan (TLP) was being banned under the Rule 11-B of Anti-terrorism Act of 1997.
“I have approved a proposal sent by the government of Punjab to ban the TLP,” he said.
“A draft is going to the cabinet for approval,” Ahmed said, adding the party’s demands risked making Pakistan look like a “radical nation” to the outside world.
“We are in favour of protecting the Holy Prophet’s honour, but the demand which they are seeking could have portrayed Pakistan as a radical nation worldwide,” said Ahmed.
Ahmed said that at least two police officials were killed and 340 injured in clashes with protesters during the last two days.
There were media reports that at least two protesters were also killed.
Speaking about negotiations with the TLP, the minister said the government wanted to table a resolution in the National Assembly and wanted to evolve a consensus on it but they (the TLP) insisted on street protests.
“Our efforts to convince them failed,” he added.
The minister claimed that miscreants had snatched a rifle from a police officer and fired at others in one of the protests.
The minister defended the government, saying it intended to honour the agreement made with the TLP earlier.
“I have never supported this party nor had ever met Khadim Hussain Rizvi (former TLP chief),” the minister said, adding the ban has been imposed due to TLP’S “character” and not due to any any political compulsion.
Regarding the resolution to be presented in parliament, Ahmed said a resolution that does not potray Pakistan as an extremist country will be presented.
The minister said the protesters also disrupted the supply of oxygen to hospitals at a time when it was direly needed to support the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
The TLP had launched the country-wide protest on Monday following the arrest of its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi ahead of April 20 deadline the party had given to the government demanding expulsion of the French ambassador for publication of blasphemous caricatures.
The minister also said that all motorways and highways had been cleared and the main choking point in major cities also cleared of protesters. He said that the law enforcement agencies were trying to clear points where some protesters were still present.
Saad Hussain Rizvi is the son of a firebrand cleric and previous head of the TLP, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who died in November after leading massive anti-france demonstrations.
During those protests, TLP supporters brought the capital to a standstill for three days that saw heavy street fighting and authorities cut mobile phone coverage in Islamabad and surrounding areas. —
The government of Punjab has forwarded recommendation to ban Tehreek-i-labaik Pakistan party. It has been decided to ban it not on the basis of political grounds but due to creating upheaval and a summary would be forwarded to cabinet for approval Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Interior Minister