Tag: Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan

  • Why is Sarmad Khoosat’s controversial film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ delayed again?

    Why is Sarmad Khoosat’s controversial film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ delayed again?

    Pakistani filmmaker, Sarmad Khoosat’s much-awaited Zindagi Tamasha has been delayed again.

    As confirmed by Khoosat himself, the Arif Hassan and Eman Suleman starrer will no longer be releasing in the anticipated Friday slot. A new release date is yet to be announced, much to the dismay of a thoroughly enticed Pakistani audience that was all geared up to show the film its due share of love.

    With a script revolving around Rahat, a beloved, devout Muslim who is a naat Khawan, the film zeroes in on the protagonist losing the support of his community after a video featuring him goes viral, causing shame to befall upon him and his family. 

    The fact that the cast and crew of Zindagi Tamasha have already experienced exhausting turbulence with regards to the release of the film is public knowledge. Despite the Senate Committee for Human Rights approving the screening of the film, its 2020 release became a looming question mark after Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) took offense with the content of the film, calling for protests against its release. 

    Earlier it was supposed to release on March 18, 2022 in Pakistani cinemas after a widely speculated controversy with religious elements involved due to which it was barred to be screened earlier.

    The production company Khoosat Films released a trailer of the film on YouTube, showing its new release date.

    The cast of the movie includes Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz, and Ali Kureshi.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film was directed and co-produced by Sarmad Khoosat and written by Nirmal Bano

    Zindagi Tamasha was screened at Busan International Film Festival(BIFF) in 2019 where it won the prestigious award titled Kim Ji-Seok Award. It also received an award at the 6th Asian World Film Festival in the category of Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the 6th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) in 2021.

    The film was also the official entry from Pakistan for the 93rd Academy Awards in the category of International Feature Film Award however, it failed to qualify to a list of 15 International feature films.

    The film got into trouble last year when Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) called for protests against its release claiming that it contains blasphemous content.

    In January 2020, the Humsafar fame director wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Dr Arif Alvi, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chief of the Army Staff, and Minister for Information in which he detailed the problems his film was facing in its release.

    Khoosat filed a petition against TLP in Lahore High Court for interfering in the release of the film however, he canceled to release of the film last year amidst the threats.

    Last year, Senate Committee for Human Rights also approved the movie for screening and dismissed all the objections. Former Chairperson of the committee and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the film can be screened when cinema halls open post-COVID.

  • ‘Decision on political alliance with TLP will be made by PM Khan’: Punjab Law Minister

    ‘Decision on political alliance with TLP will be made by PM Khan’: Punjab Law Minister

    Punjab Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja says any decision on political alliance with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) will be made by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    Raja, while talking to reporters at the Punjab Assembly said, “There is no worth of personal opinion of an individual who is affiliated with a party and is a part of the cabinet. But I can say with clarity that any decision on the subject (TLP) will be made by none other than Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

    Talking about the political strategies, Raja said that the federal government was taking steps to bring back Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif from London where he had gone for his medical treatment in November last year.

  • ‘Murders happen when young people get emotional’: Pervez Khattak says govt shouldn’t be blamed for Sialkot lynching

    ‘Murders happen when young people get emotional’: Pervez Khattak says govt shouldn’t be blamed for Sialkot lynching

    Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, while talking to the media in Peshawar, said that the horrific lynching of a Sri Lankan man at the hands of a mob in Sialkot should not be linked to the government, adding even “murders take place” when young people get emotional.

    A reporter questioned Khattak that the Sialkot killing had taken place after the government lifted the ban on the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), and asked Khattak whether the government was considering an “effective crackdown” against such groups.

    “You know the reasons [behind this incident] too. When children … grow up, they become spirited and do things out of emotions. This does not mean ‘this was the result of that action’,” responded Khattak, adding that in Sialkot some young men had gathered and accused Priyantha Kumara [Sri Lankan factory manager] of disrespecting Islam.

    Khattak said he too could do something wrong in a state of heightened emotions and added that such incidents did not mean “Pakistan is going towards destruction”.

    A reporter asked the minister whether he was attributing the murders of nine policemen by TLP protesters as well as that of Kumara to “emotions”.

    Reiterating his argument, Khattak said boys entering adulthood are “ready to do anything” and learn with age how to control their emotions. “So this happens among kids, fights take place and even murders. [Does] this mean it is the government’s fault?”

    “Why don’t you change this mindset? Your anchors should come on TV and make the children understand their religion. You only take advertisements and earn money,” added Khattak.

    Twitterati reacted to Khattak’s comments.

    Journalist Nasim Zehra tweeted, “Either he should apologise & withdraw this statement or he should resign from his post … it’s minds like his that mislead, that poison the young and the innocent..watch his disservice to both Islam and to Pak.”

    Journalist Saadia Afzal tweeted, “We are where we are because of such sorry state of affairs. This is our defence minister shamelessly justifying the incident. He should be sacked immediately.”

    Another person tweeted, “Oversimplify, justify and dehumanise!”

    https://twitter.com/zehrakamal/status/1467639479108190209
  • ‘PTI’s Ejaz Chaudhry meeting Saad Rizvi was absurd,’says Fawad

    ‘PTI’s Ejaz Chaudhry meeting Saad Rizvi was absurd,’says Fawad

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry termed the meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Ejaz Chaudhry with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Husain Rizvi as ‘absurd’.

    While speaking on Aaj News’ political news programme ‘Rubaroo with Shaukat Paracha’, Chaudhry questioned: “I think the manner in which Ejaz Chaudhry Sahib [met] the TLP [leadership] was an absurd act. Why didn’t [he] visit the homes of the policemen who were martyred.”

    “Till the time the state doesn’t stand with its martyrs who else will be their [support],” added Fawad.

    “How can there be consensus? People will only fear for [their lives here],” said Fawad.

    Senator Ejaz had met TLP chief Rizvi last month as a “gesture of goodwill” and to congratulate him on his release from jail. Pictures of Senator Ejaz hugging and presenting a bouquet to Mr Rizvi were widely shared on social media.

  • PTI senator presents bouquet to TLP chief Saad Rizvi after bail

    PTI senator presents bouquet to TLP chief Saad Rizvi after bail

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) senator and President of Central Punjab Ejaz Chaudhry met with previously banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Hussain Rizvi and presented him a bouquet.

    https://twitter.com/FGMallick/status/1462030632092155907?s=20

    Earlier this month, Chaudhry had claimed that the government would consider giving seats to TLP which was banned at the time. He also said that he would meet Rizvi once he is released.

    Saad was released on Thursday. He was taken into custody in April shortly after the federal government declared the TLP a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws and launched a broad crackdown against it.

  • ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf, while speaking to anchorperson Saleem Safi during Geo News programme ‘Jirga’, was asked to comment on Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s statement on the government’s talks with the Tehreek-I-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Chaudhry had said that neither the state nor the government is ready to fight extremism.

    “I do not agree at all that the state does not have the capability to deal [with TLP],” stated Yusuf.

    “I had also said this publicly that a red line has to be drawn because the policemen martyred [during clashes with TLP] were also the state’s responsibility.”

    He cited the example of the infamous Lal Masjid episode, saying that the media at the time had called upon the state to use force as its writ was being challenged right in the heart of the capital.

    “And when the state used force, all of you [the media] stood against the government,” he added.

    Fawad Chaudhry had said the state and government are “not fully prepared” to deal with extremism, adding that they had to “take a step back” while dealing with the TLP.

    “Religious extremism was seen more in regions that are in India now. Areas over here (Pakistan) never had religious extremism to the extent [seen today],” he said, regretting that “Pakistan faces a grave danger today.”

    “We don’t have any potential threat from India. We have the sixth largest army in the world, we are an atomic power, and India cannot compete with us,” he continued. “We face no danger from America. We face no danger from Europe. The biggest danger we face [today] is from within [Pakistan].”

  • TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi released

    TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi released

    Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi has been released, party spokesperson Mufti Abid said on Thursday.

    A high-level meeting under Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat could not reach a consensus on the release of Hafiz Saad Rizvi on Wednesday, reports Dawn.

    The meeting linked Rizvi’s release with the decision of the Federal Review Board, which had already been approached by the provincial government seeking withdrawal of its application regarding his detention.

    The local authorities have been directed to cooperate with the TLP in observing the first death anniversary of the outfit’s founder, Allama Khadim Rizvi.

    Last week the government removed Saad Hussain Rizvi’s name from the Fourth Schedule — a list of proscribed individuals who are suspected of terrorism or sectarianism under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

    The Punjab Home Department issued a statement: “The name of Hafiz Mohammad Saad, being Ameer of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, a proscribed organisation, was listed in the 4th Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, under Section 11-E on the recommendations of District Intelligence Committee, Lahore.”

    Rizvi was taken into custody in April shortly after the federal government declared the TLP a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws and launched a broad crackdown against it.

  • Punjab govt removes TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s name from Fourth Schedule

    Punjab govt removes TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s name from Fourth Schedule

    The Punjab government on Wednesday removed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief Saad Hussain Rizvi’s name from the Fourth Schedule — a list of proscribed individuals who are suspected of terrorism or sectarianism under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, reports Dawn.

     The Punjab Home Department issued a statement: “The name of Hafiz Mohammad Saad, being Ameer of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, a proscribed organisation, was listed in the 4th Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, under Section 11-E on the recommendations of District Intelligence Committee, Lahore.”

    A copy of the Punjab Home Department notification

    “Therefore, name of Hafiz Mohammad Saad is hereby deleted from the list of 4th Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, with immediate effect,” it stated.

    Police had arrested Rizvi on April 12 this year ahead of planned protests by the TLP. 

    The government, on November 7, revoked the ban on TLP.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday said, “I want to state this on oath, I don’t know what the agreement with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) is.”

    The minister when questioned about the “secretive agreement” of the government with TLP, responded that thankfully he has been able to escape problems and said, “I am not a part of this problem.”

    Earlier, the government decided to disclose the details of the agreement with the TLP in the next 10 days.

  • ‘I want to state this on oath, I don’t know what the agreement with TLP is’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘I want to state this on oath, I don’t know what the agreement with TLP is’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday while talking to the media said, “I want to state this on oath, I don’t know what the agreement with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) is.”

    The minister when questioned about the “secretive agreement” of the government with TLP, responded that thankfully he has been able to escape problems and said, “I am not a part of this problem.”

    Earlier, the government decided to disclose the details of the agreement with the TLP in the next 10 days. The military leadership had advised against the use of force against the protesters after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had authorised it.

    “The army chief [General Qamar Javed Bajwa ] said if the decision-makers were ready to pay the price for using force against the TLP, then the military would do as ordered. However, mention was made of the previous instances where the government had used force against citizens – Lal Masjid and the Model Town incident – and participants of the meeting were reminded of the consequences of both episodes.”

    The government, on November 7, revoked the ban on TLP.

  • ‘Avoid bloodshed’: Military opposed use of force against TLP protestors

    ‘Avoid bloodshed’: Military opposed use of force against TLP protestors

    The government has decided to disclose the details of the agreement with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in the next 10 days. The military leadership had advised against the use of force against the protesters after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had authorised it, writes Fahd Husain for Dawn.

    On Monday, a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PNSC) comprising members of the National Assembly (NA) and Senate took place in Islamabad. The parliamentarians were taken into confidence by the military leadership over a secretive deal between the government and the TLP.

    The government has fundamentally decided to make public the agreement it signed with the TLP but the secrecy of the details shall be kept intact until its implementation.

    Sources privy to the matter revealed that the premier had authorised the use of force against the TLP marchers. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa presented all the gains and losses of using force against TLP workers.

    “The army chief said if the decision-makers were ready to pay the price for using force against the TLP, then the military would do as ordered. However, mention was made of the previous instances where the government had used force against citizens – Lal Masjid and the Model Town incident – and participants of the meeting were reminded of the consequences of both episodes.”

    “The military leadership, however, advised against the use of force arguing that it was not a solution. It was then decided to opt for a negotiated settlement in order to, as one source put it, ‘avoid bloodshed’. This is when Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman was identified as someone who could mediate an agreement given his standing as a senior Barelvi cleric.”

    The TLP protest turned violent, killing seven police officers and hundreds more wounded during clashes with TLP demonstrators marching up towards the capital. November