No one will be allowed to spread unrest or chaos in the country, the meeting decides
No action will be taken against religious scholars — only TLP officials will face action, say federal ministers
Islamabad (Web News)
An important meeting was held at the Ministry of Interior to review the recent law and order situation in the country. It was decided that no one would be allowed to create unrest or disorder.
The review meeting, held on Thursday, was attended by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. The meeting decided that the losses to public and private property caused during recent riots would be assessed and that the safety and protection of citizens would be ensured at all costs.
Following the meeting, the federal ministers held a joint press conference, stating that negotiations with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had continued for two to three days, during which the group demanded the release of their detained workers. The ministers clarified that religious scholars were not part of the TLP protest and that no action would be taken against any religious scholar — only TLP officials would face legal action. They also noted that Jamaat-e-Islami organized peaceful protests across the country.
On Thursday, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf held a joint press conference.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Pakistan has fought the case of Palestine at every international forum and that the Palestinian President thanked the Prime Minister for his strong support. He said Pakistan has stood firmly with its Palestinian brothers. He alleged that TLP members brought modern weapons to their protest and caused damage to public and private property using these weapons.
“Did Jamaat-e-Islami not hold peaceful protests?” he asked, adding that Jamaat-e-Islami’s demonstrations were entirely peaceful. He revealed that a police station house officer (SHO) was dragged out of his vehicle and shot 21 times, and that over 100 security personnel were assaulted. “No one is fighting the case of Palestine more vigorously than we are,” he added.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that negotiations were indeed held with senior TLP officials, rejecting the impression that talks had not taken place. He emphasized that no violence was committed against protesters, but those carrying weapons were stopped. He praised the security personnel who cleared the roads. Naqvi said that a religious party acted as a mediator, but TLP backed out from the mediation process.
He further stated: “Ask TLP whether their protest was truly for Palestine or aimed at securing the release of detained militants. During talks, they only demanded the release of their arrested workers.” Naqvi added that TLP forcibly took vehicles at gunpoint to use in their protest. “Apart from TLP officials, no action will be taken against any madrasa,” he assured.
Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that a ceasefire has been established in Palestine and an agreement has been reached. He noted that police were fired upon under the cover of protests, and reiterated that religious scholars were not involved in TLP’s demonstrations, assuring that no action would be taken against any religious scholar.