Gov to ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan under ant-terror laws: minister

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed announced that the federal government would ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the anti-terrorism law.

The decision has been taken on the recommendations of the Punjab government, according to Sheikh Rashid

“A summary is being forwarded to the Federal Cabinet to impose a ban on the TLP,” Rashid said as a nationwide protest by TLP supporters after the arrest of their leader Saad Hussain Rizvi entered the third day on Wednesday.

The protests had crippled life in major cities across the country and claimed the lives of three, including two policemen.

Nearly 100 policemen have also been injured in clashes with the protesters.

Rashid said that the government wanted to table a resolution in the National Assembly with consensus but they (TLP) insisted on coming to Faizabad.

“Our efforts to convince them failed. As far as the matter of Khatam-e-Nabwat is concerned, I am ready to give my life,” he said.

The interior minister said that firing was done after snatching a rifle from police in Islamabad.

“They wanted such a draft after which all the Europeans should have to go back,” he said.

He said that the government stood by the agreement it had signed with the party.

Regarding the FIRs filed against the protesters, Rashid said they were all filled according to law.

“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 denied any political compulsion in the move.