TLP acting chief arrested from Charsadda

Police confirm the arrest from a protest rally organised against Aasia Bibi’s acquittal

SHABQADAR: The absconding acting chief of politico-religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was arrested from the Umarzai area of Charsadda on Friday, police said.

District Police Officer (DPO) Irfanullah confirmed to The Express Tribune that Dr Shafiq Ameeni was arrested during a protest rally organised against the acquittal by the Supreme Court of Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy in 2010 and sentenced to death by the court.

Dr Ameeni was wanted for leading a motorway blockage and an anti-state sit-in, among other cases relating to rioting and inflicting losses to the national exchequer, according to the police.

Dr Ameeni was arrested while leading the protest rally in Umarzai area, DPO Irfan added.

Since TLP top leaders, including its chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Pir Afzal Qadri, are in detention; Dr Ameeni was serving as the party’s acting chief.

Dr Ameeni announced Friday’s protest demonstration two days ago, said the police officer, adding that he led Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid Muhammad Amin and later left to lead the rally against the apex court’s verdict.

On November 23, 2018, Rizvi was taken into “protective custody” as security forces launched a crackdown against the politico-religious party.

The crackdown was launched against TLP activists and leaders in all major cities of the country following the party leadership’s refusal to withdraw the call to stage a protest sit-in [at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi].

Rizvi and Qadri were charged with treason and terrorism.
Earlier this week, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, dismissed a review petition filed against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi.