Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday called on the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to stick to the promises it had made with the government, warning that "things will be out of my hands" if the group fails to do so.
The minister made the comments while speaking on Geo News' programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath' during which he spoke about the recent protests by the group.
During the show, the minister categorically stated that the government would stop the group from entering Islamabad. He urged the protesters to turn back, otherwise the state would be left with no choice but to "establish its writ".
The minister said that while the government does not want violence, Prime Minister Imran Khan would not allow the country to become "hostage".
Addressing the TLP protesters, he said, "Your loss is our loss."
He said that the group talked about the finality of Prophethood, something which all Muslims believed in. "Why don't you believe us when we say that the French envoy has left the country?"
He stated that Pakistan was the centre of Islam and damaging the country was not serving the religion in any manner. "PM Imran is the first person to form the Rehmatullil Alameen Authority and take the country towards making it a welfare state like Madina."
The minister said he had spoken to the TLP leadership, including the group's chief, Saad Hussain Rizvi, multiple times in recent days and would talk to them again on Friday (tomorrow) and Saturday.
"However, the talks would only be held after they (the TLP) returns," he added.
He said the Rangers had to be called in Punjab so that matters could be resolved, adding that matters with the TLP remained unresolved till now.
Ahmed said the TLP had committed to unblocking roads and the group should fulfil its promise.
"Otherwise, matters will go out of my hand," he warned again.
He said he had been trying to convince the TLP to keep its promises, "but if you (the TLP) keep moving forward [towards Islamabad, you have to be stopped at some point".
"[Prime Minister] Imran Khan has shown as much flexibility [in the matter] as he could," the minister added.
He said while the government had accepted many of the TLP's demands, the latter hadn't agreed to return to their headquarter.
"The French ambassador is not here (in Pakistan), a resolution [on the finality of prophethood] has been moved in the National Assembly," he said, referring to two of the TLP's demands. "Then what are you marching on Islamabad for?" he questioned.
Reiterating that the prime minister had shown as much flexibility on the matter as it was possible for him, the minister said the government couldn't be compelled to do something.
"Our agreement with you (the TLP) still stands, but if you keep moving [towards Islamabad], the government would have to establish its writ," he said. "The government is being mocked in the world [for not establishing its writ]."
And, he said, "matters should not reach a point of no-return".
"We are ready to go through with our agreement with the TLP," the minister said, warning the TLP of consequences 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 face loss."
Speaking of the four policemen martyred in clashes with the TLP, he said there had been a reaction on it in the police.
More to follow
from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/3bhaBln
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