Exemption for Nawaz's appearance sought ahead of TLP's arrival in capital

Rally will reach Islamabad tonight or tomorrow if negotiations between government, protesters fail

Jail authorities on Thursday sought an exemption for deposed premier Nawaz Sharif's appearance in court on August 31 citing security threats due to a protest movement by a right-wing political party.

The Tehreek-e-Labbaik has launched a protest march and is marching towards the capital to protest against a blasphemous cartoon contest in the Netherlands.

The rally will reach Islamabad either Thursday night or Friday if negotiations between the government and the protesters are not successful.



Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reached out to his Dutch counterpart and strong objected to the competition being held by a Dutch politician known for his anti-Islamic views.

Negotiations between the provincial government and TLP stalled after the provincial religious affairs minister and the party’s leadership failed to reach a consensus as protesters mobilised by the party commenced their march towards Islamabad over a controversial cartoon contest in the Netherlands.