Govt calls in Rangers to maintain law, order

The government has decided to summon the Punjab Rangers to maintain the law and order situation in the province amid the ongoing protests staged by the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

Speaking during a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that the government wants to establish peace as there is a lot of pressure on Pakistan.

The minister said that since the ambassador of France is not present in Pakistan, the proscribed organisation seems to have “another agenda”.

“I have warned the supporters of the proscribed organisation to return home,” Rasheed said, adding that if the international community decides to impose a ban on its activities, then it would be beyond the control of the Pakistan government to intervene.

Earlier, briefing the media on the cabinet’s decision today, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said “TLP is not a religious organisation, it is a militant wing”.

The minister said the cabinet had decided to deal with TLP like a militant organisation, as he slammed the proscribed political party for blocking roads and central arteries for their protests.

“They have already put up a show six times. The proscribed TLP cannot blackmail the state; it has no status. In the past, we have defeated terrorist organisations,” he said.

The information minister, noting that six police officials were martyred during the protest, asked that till when would the state act as a silent spectator.

“We do not want bloodshed,” he said and slammed the TLP for blocking the roads “without reason”.