Non implementation of deal: TLP threatens to hold countrywide protests

Khadim Hussain Rizvi led party to decide its course of action after a meeting today

LAHORE: Khadim Hussain Rizvi led Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has threatened countrywide protests if the government does not implement the deal it signed with the TLP on November 27, 2017 to end the newly formed party’s 21-day-long sit-in in Islamabad.

This warning was issued by the leaders of the party who have been staging a sit-in outside the Data Darbar in Lahore since Monday, causing worst traffic jam especially at main thoroughfares of the city.



Talking to The Express Tribune, the TLP spokesman Sheikh Azhar said the party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi has called a meeting of the TLP Majlis Shura [Central Committee] today [on Wednesday] to discuss their future strategy. “In this meeting we will decide whether to go on strike or not,” he said.

Earlier, in his speech at Data Darbar, Rizvi said the agreement which was signed by government and the TLP at the end of Faizabad protest is still to be implemented. “Today, our deadline has ended. Now we will announce our future strategy via press conference at 4pm [on Wednesday],” he said.

The TLP demands include making public Raja Zafarul Haq’s report on the controversial change in the lawmakers oath regarding finality of prophethood, release of all protesters arrested during the sit-in, formation of a committee to suggest action against those who used force against protesters and full implementation of an earlier agreement between Punjab government and the TLP.



Rizvi, who was declared an absconder on Tuesday by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad, is leading a TLP sit-in in Lahore. Due to the sit-in protest, Lahore’s Lower Mall and Circular Road witness worst traffic jam which has resulted in severe difficulty to the citizens.

The TLP in November staged the sit-in at Islamabad’s Faizabad Interchange against a controversial change in the lawmaker’s oath with regard to finality of prophethood. Later the government signed a deal with the party in the wake of a botched police operation that triggered country-wide protest.

As part of the deal brokered by the army, law minister Zahid Hamid had to resign while the government agreed to take back all the cases against the TLP leaders and workers. However, an ATC continued to proceed the cases against Rizvi and others, triggering their fresh protest.