• Top security forum okays talks with proscribed group
• Marchers reach Wazirabad
• Rangers draw ‘red line’ to stop demonstrators

ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday gave green signal to the government for talks with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on ending its march towards the federal capital, but emphasised that there would not be any compromise on the “crimes” committed by the group.

The NSC meeting was held to discuss the situation resulting from the TLP’s march to press for its demands and the strategy for tackling with it.

Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired the meeting that was attended by members of the federal cabinet, the national security adviser, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, the three services chiefs, chiefs of Inter-Services Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency and senior civil and military officers.

“Participants endorsed the government’s decision to negotiate with the group only within the bounds of law, without offering leniency for any crimes committed by TLP operatives,” the PM Office said in a statement.

At least four policemen have been killed in attacks by TLP workers and dozens of others injured, six of them critically.

The group has been demanding release of its leader Saad Rizvi, who has been in custody since April following violent protests by the TLP, and expulsion of ambassador of France from the country. There is currently no French ambassador in the country. The position has been vacant since the previous one retired a few months ago. Pakistan too does not have an ambassador in Paris.

The PMO further said that “the Committee resolved not to tolerate any further breach of law by this proscribed group.”

PM Khan, in view of the recommendation given by the top security body, ordered the authorities to take “measures and actions necessary to enforce the law and protect the interests of the state and public”.

He emphasised that no group or entity would be allowed to cause public life disruption or use violence to pressure the government.

According to a source, the prime minister said that Saad Rizvi would not be released.

Government officials have been talking to the group through him for which he had been reportedly brought to Islamabad.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, speaking at a media conference after the meeting, said the government wanted to “amicably” resolve the issue of the protest march, which has disrupted life in several Punjab cities for two weeks.

Mr Ahmed said he and Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri would resume negotiations with the TLP later in the evening.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, at a separate press conference, said the government would not succumb to the TLP’s blackmail though it had invited it for a dialogue.

“I am telling the protestors to return home. Their families should also call them back. The state will be unrestrained in its actions for asserting its writ,” he warned.

PM Khan is expected to make a televised speech either on Saturday or Sunday depending on how the situation evolves further.

The federal government has under Article 147 of the Constitution, which pertains to entrusting the powers of a province to the federal government, placed Punjab police at the disposal of Rangers, a paramilitary force. The Rangers have been given powers to deal with the TLP march under Section 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act that deals with the use of armed forces and civil armed forces to prevent terrorism.

The NSC cautioned that the State’s desire for an amicable resolution of the issue may not be seen as a sign of weakness.

The TLP, it noted, was deliberately employing violence against public property, state officials, and ordinary citizens to create instability in the country and that would not be tolerated. All organs of the state stood ready to act as per law to protect the life and property of citizens, it said.

The committee noted the actions taken by the government at the international forums for countering blasphemy.

Meanwhile, Punjab Rangers has declared 500-metre area near the bridge over Chenab as ‘red line’ following the reports that a big rally of TLP had reached Wazirabad on Friday.

The law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert for an expected massive clash at the crossing point of Chenab River where additional force of Rangers and Punjab police has been dispatched.

There were reports that thousands of workers of the proscribed TLP on Friday continued march from Gujranwala and staged a sit-in at Wazirabad to spend night there.

They would resume their march from Wazirabad on Saturday (today) to cross the Chenab River bridge which has been heavily barricaded by placing containers and heavy vehicles with strict warnings from the Punjab Rangers to avoid entering the redline.

Asif Chaudhry from Lahore also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2021