Doors open for negotiations, Rashid says after NSC meeting

Interior minister says doors of negotiations still open, writ of state will be maintained

ISLAMABAD:

A meeting of the National Security Committee was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss the situation arising out of the violent protest by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

The NSC meeting was held on the heels of the federal government’s decision to deploy Rangers in Punjab for 60 days.

The meeting, which was attended by federal ministers and the country's senior military and intelligence officials, reviewed the situation arising out of the activities of the banned organisation.

After the meeting, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid spoke to the media and said that the government is still willing to negotiate, however, the writ of the state will be established.

"We have not closed the doors on the dialogue process, however, the writ of the state also needs to be maintained."

مزاکرات کے دروازے بند نہیں کیے مگر ریاست کی رٹ کو ہر صورت قائم کیا جائے گا. قومی سلامتی کمیٹی اجلاس کے بعد گفتگو.#APPNews @ShkhRasheed @MOIPakistan #TLP pic.twitter.com/Qzve4yTmvA

— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) October 29, 2021

The minister hoped that the issues can be resolved amicably. “The government has to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people as well,” he stated.

Read Four policemen martyred as TLP resumes march on Islamabad

Rashid further said that a press release of the NSC meeting would be issued later in the day..

The security situation remained uncertain in Rawalpindi as the city administration and police put in place more stringent measures on roads ahead of the march of the banned TLP.

Streets and link roads leading to the Murree Road and Faizabad had also been sealed at different locations by placing containers and other blockades.

The security of sensitive installations had been put under the control of Rangers.