TLP awaits leadership’s nod to call off protest despite ‘agreement’

Sources say two factions of govt ministers and clerics surfaced over negotiations with protesters

LAHORE:

Soon after the government announced that an agreement has been reached with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Sunday, the religious party issued a statement saying that a final decision to call of the protest will be taken after consultation with the members of the Majlis-e-Shura – top decision-making body of the group.

Earlier today, Mufti Muneebur Rehman flanked by the federal ministers said in a press conference that TLP chief Saad Rizvi had also endorsed the agreement, saying it was not a “victory or defeat” of any group. "The agreement was reached after sense prevailed over aggression."

He said that a steering committee headed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Muhammad Khan has been formed to implement the clauses of the agreement.

Also read: 'Agreement reached' with TLP, says govt

A TLP spokesperson said in today’s statement that a final decision with regards to ending protests will be announced by the central leaders after completing the consultation process and urged the party workers to not pay heed to ‘rumours’.

He expressed the hope that the party’s steering committee will soon resolve the pending issues. “InshaaAllah (God willing) the nation will soon hear the good news,” he added.

The spokesperson said the TLP was not in favour of violent protest and added that the agreement with the government had been reached in the interest of Islam and the country.

“Peaceful protest is our constitutional and legal right and the beauty of democracy," he added.

The TLP spokesperson also appreciated efforts of all those involved in the negotiation process.

Meanwhile, insiders said two factions of the federal ministers and scholars surfaced during the negotiations with the TLP.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, State Minister Ali Mohammad Khan and Mufti Muneebur Rehman held negotiations with the TLP instead of the committee formed by the premier.

Also read: TLP workers remain in Wazirabad as talks continue

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday formed a 12-member committee, which included federal ministers Sheikh Rasheed, Noorul Haq Qadri, Sunni Ittehad Council President Sahibzada Hamid Raza to hold talks with the religious party.

But the committee formed by the premier was reportedly sidelined and Mufti Muneeb who had been making hard-hitting statements against the government since being removed as chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee spearheaded the negotiations.

The committee also refused to attend the press conference held earlier today to announce the agreement with the religious outfit, the sources said.