Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Hussain Rizvi is set to get married this week, reports Roznama 92.
Many important personalities are expected to attend Rizvi’s wedding. Allama Abdul Sattar Saeedi is expected to officiate the nikkah.
Rizvi’s valima (wedding reception) will be held on February 6 in Lahore.
On November 18, Saad Rizvi was released from jail before the death anniversary of his father, i.e. Khadim Hussain Rizvi. On November 7, the government had revoked the ban on TLP.
The Punjab government has initiated the process to unban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
Punjab Home Department sent a summary for the revocation of the TLP ban to Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar and his cabinet.
The notification by the Home Department requested the provincial government to respond in three days.
After the likely approval from CM Buzdar and the provincial cabinet, the federal government will be moved to do away with TLP’s banned status, said the Home Department.
Earlier today, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that the chief of TLP, Saad Hussain Rizvi, had insisted on the closure of the French embassy in the country and asked that this issue is brought in the National Assembly, reports Dawn.
Moreover, the minister said, “I have made signatures on the previous agreement and I am steadfast on this. As for the rest of the problems, two ministers have been appointed and they will answer your queries.”
The Punjab government also decided to release 100 more activists of the proscribed organisation from different jails in the province. Previously 2,000 jailed activists of the banned organisation were released.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan hinted at the release of Saad Rizvi and said that the state cannot afford to ban a party that has a 2.5 million vote bank in Punjab.
A brother of a police officer killed by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) spoke about his pain and blamed Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Usman Buzdar for the brutal death of his brother.
A video was shared on social media by journalist Zarrar Khuhro, in which the officer’s brother said, “There was not a single part of my brother’s body which was left unbroken by the TLP.”
“All this is the fault of the government. They [policemen] did not have any weapons, they were provided with sticks just to die,” said the grieving brother.
“Imran Khan sahib and Usman Buzdar are the ones responsible for all this. They made unarmed citizens go through this ordeal,” he said.
“They did not spare a single part of my brother’s body, he was completely crushed. The cruelty done by TLP is unmatched,” said the brother.
“My brother was on duty continuously for four days, he took a break and they caught him. [Two fellow officers were with him] One ran away and they smashed the head of the other and eventually killed my brother,” he added.
The grieving brother said, “He was completely blue after being beaten up brutally. I want justice from this government. They took away all the weapons from the officers a month before and replaced them with sticks just to get killed in the end.”
The TLP protest turned violent, killing seven police officers and hundreds more wounded during clashes with TLP demonstrators marching up towards the capital.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan while referring to the ban put by the government on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) said that we cannot afford to ban a party that has a 2.5 million vote bank in Punjab.
Speaking on Geo News‘ talk show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, Ali argued, “Shouldn’t they be a given chance to come into politics?”
Moreover, he claimed that he met with TLP’s members two days ago along with other government representatives and will welcome the banned organisation into the national mainstream.
He revealed that the proscribed organisation will accept Parliament’s decision on the issue of the French ambassador’s expulsion from the country.
While talking about the agreement between TLP and the government the minister said that details of the agreement will come to light within seven to 10 days and hinted at the release of TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi in a few days.
Anchorperson questioned, “Does Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan know about the details of the agreement?” In response, the minister didn’t answer and remained silent.
“The state struck a deal with its people to restore peace in the country,” he stressed.
When asked about the involvement of Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi in this matter Ali Muhammad “ignored” the question.
The minister added that anti-Pakistan elements did not want peace in the country. He said that they wanted bloodshed and another incident of “Lal Masjid” in the country.
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government released more than 800 supporters of the party arrested across Punjab under the agreement which details haven’t been disclosed yet.
Previously, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said, “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Senator and President of Central Punjab Ejaz Chaudhry has claimed that the government will consider giving seats to the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Punjab constituencies, reports Saama TV.
He said that other political affairs are also under consideration and the agreement between the government and the proscribed outfit can be very beneficial.
“Our mission is the same,” said Ejaz Chaudhry. He said that he will meet Saad Hussain Rizvi once he gets free.
Previously, the PTI government said that they had reached an agreement with TLP. Details of the agreement have not been revealed yet.
Earlier this year, the government had banned the TLP, which restricted them to participate in the elections. Currently, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has restricted all television channels from covering any activity of the banned outfit.
Various people on Twitter have demanded and questioned the government following the state’s claim about reaching an ‘agreement’ with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in order to end the nearly two-week-long protests.
The details of the negotiations have yet not been made public.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar tweeted: “The people of this country have a right to know about the agreement made with a proscribed group, which caused loss of life and property and disrupted citizens’ lives for weeks.”
While recalling the Hazara community’s protest, he demanded to know whether the martyrdom of Punjab police officials was in vain and if the perpetrators will be punished.
PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman questioned the decision to disclose details at an appropriate time. “Peace with the state on what terms?” she tweeted.
Former Member of National Assembly (MNA) and rights activist Bushra Gohar said: “Yet another surrender agreement to be signed with the alleged Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) funded banned religious extremist group TLP,” with hashtag #GayaPakistan.
Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir asked the media and all stakeholders to question the government why TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi was not formally arrested.
He expressed his concerns on Twitter and said, “TLP is being kept alive and will be kept alive to be the political nuisance it was intended to be, a variable in Punjab used as a when establishment wants it to.”
Legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists, Reema Omer tweeted: “Nothing in this press conference inspired confidence, least of all the ‘secret’ agreement”
Journalist Yusra Askari mocked the government and labelled the agreement between the state and banned outfit as “horrors of this Halloween” that will haunt us forever.
The protests by the banned outfit led to the deaths of five police officials and injured more than 250 others.
In a press release by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), it is reported that the government is negotiating with the banned outfit head Saad Hussain Rizvi.
The government delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaiser, and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ali Muhammad Khan.
According to the press release, the final decision will be made later today.
Prior to this, President Dr Arif Alvi reportedly asked for the Ulema’s help in addressing the ongoing chaos in the country due to TLP’s protests.
In a meeting with a delegation of Ulema of Ahle-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, President Alvi stated that the Ulema have always played a significant role in providing moral and religious guidance to people besides standing with the state in difficult times.
The meeting deliberated upon various options to address the current situation peacefully and emphasised resolving the matter through negotiations.
At the meeting, the Ulema expressed concern over the reports of violence which have caused harm to the general public.
The consultative meeting at the President’s House had taken place after a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in Islamabad, which resolved to guard the sovereignty of the state from all internal and external threats.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has restricted all television channels and other media outlets from covering any activity of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
While issuing the orders in a notification, Pemra referred to the April 15 letter of the Interior Ministry, which had declared the TLP a proscribed outfit, as well as its earlier notification about banning its coverage. It was in April that Pemra first placed a ban on the TLP after it was banned by the government.
Read more – ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters
The official notification says, “It is reiterated that regulation 18(h) of Pemra (Television Broadcast Station Operation) Regulation, 2012 and clause 16 of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 requires that the programmes shall conform to the laws of the country. Further, Clause 3 (3) of Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 prohibits media coverage of proscribed organisations.”
“Keeping in view the reasons stated above, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 27 of Pemra Ordinance, 2002 as amended by Pemra Amendment Act, 2007 all satellite TV channels, FM radio stations and distribution service networks (Cobb TV Operators, IPTV) are hereby directed to stop the media coverage of proscribed organisation TLP,” read the statement.
Read more – ‘Will not allow facts to be distorted’: TLP asks Sheikh Rasheed to reveal details of negotiations
Currently, TLP is determined to continue with its long march to the federal capital, Islamabad.
Recent clashes between the banned organisation and the government resulted in at least five officials’ death and more than 200 injuries.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, while speaking on Geo News‘ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said: “Things will be out of my hands”, adding that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) should stick to the promises it had made with the government.
“Your loss is the government’s loss. But we will not allow Pakistan’s loss at any cost,” the minister said, adding that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will not allow Pakistan to be held hostage by anyone.
“Pakistan is an atomic power, therefore, internal powers are trying to weaken the country,” Rasheed maintained. “Pakistan is the defensive line of Islam.”
The prime minister had shown as much flexibility as was possible on the matter, the minister said. He added that the government couldn’t be forced to do something.
“Our agreement with you still stands, but if you keep moving [towards Islamabad], the government will have to establish its writ,” he said while addressing the protesters.
“The government is being mocked across the world [for not establishing its writ],” he said, adding that “matters should not reach a point of no-return”.
“This time, PM Imran has decided that enough is enough.”
Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda’s statement that PM Khan was not aware of the government’s agreement with TLP, which was signed in November 2020, Rasheed said, “I have told Faisal Vawda that what you have said is wrong. The agreement I signed with TLP was in line with the Prime Minister’s directives.”
“We are ready to go through with our agreement with the TLP,” the minister said, warning the TLP of consequences if it didn’t follow through with its commitments. “I don’t want matters to worsen, and if that happens, those out on the road would be harmed.”
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a hard-hitting press conference on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”
“TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.
“Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.
“In today’s cabinet meeting, it was decided that such activities will not be tolerated. We will not tolerate those who challenge the writ of the state,” he said, adding that the Pakistani state had defeated major terrorist organisation such as Al Qaeda.
“No one should make the mistake of thinking that the state is weak. Those who made this mistake later realised they were wrong.”
“No one has the guts to blackmail the state. We have acted in a restrained manner and not once used power. This is a matter of respect for our country and the safety of every citizen,” added Fawad.
Warning the people spreading fake news on the matter, Fawad said, “We will come hard on you. And this will not be tolerated.”
The minister’s remarks came as fresh violence erupted between law enforcers and TLP supporters near Sadhoke in Punjab’s Gujranwala district on Wednesday. At least four policemen were martyred and dozens injured.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands, reports Geo News.
“The government will not allow violence for political purposes,” PM Khan.
“The government and the state are on one page regarding the protests, the protesters will be dealt with severely if they try to enter Islamabad,” said the premier.
On the other hand, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said, “If Imran Khan’s sit-in was legitimate when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was in the Opposition, then why isn’t TLP’s long march justified.”