Pakistan

Discussed matter of French ambassador's expulsion with Saad Rizvi: Sheikh Rashid

Dialogue with the proscribed party is being overlooked by two ministers, the minister adds

Our Correspondent November 04, 2021

LAHORE:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Thursday revealed that Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi was adamant on the closure of the French embassy in the country during negotiations with him during the party’s long march.

His statement comes days after remarks attributed to prominent cleric Mufti Muneebur Rehman had suggested that the TLP had not demanded closure of the French embassy. However, Mufti Muneeb said in an interview that they never backed out from the demand for the expulsion of the French envoy.

Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, the interior minister claimed he had convinced the TLP chief that the issue of the French ambassador’s expulsion would be taken up in parliament. “I signed [an agreement], which I stand by,” Rashid said, adding that he had no idea about what talks took place in his absence.

“As for the rest of the issues, two ministers have been appointed [for the matter] and they will respond to your questions,” Rashid said. He added that the government was committed to implementing the agreement reached with the TLP.

In an interview with an Urdu language news website, Mufti Muneeb, who was among the clerics, who had facilitated talks between the government and the TLP, also said that they had not given up their demand for the closure of the French embassy and expulsion of the ambassador.

Read: TLP withdraws application on Saad Rizvi's release

On October 31, the government had successfully reached an agreement with the TLP, putting an end to a 10-day protest. Mufti Muneeb was among the clerics, who had facilitated talks, helping both sides reach the agreement after an impasse of three weeks.

Mufti Muneeb said that he was asked to holds the talks between the government and TLP, adding that he accepted the offer for the sake of national interest and peace and stability. As a result of the agreement, He said a committee led by State Minister Ali Muhammad Khan had been formed, he said.

Responding to a question about the demand for sending back the French ambassador, Mufti Muneeb said: “We are not giving up on this demand. Asked about remarks attributed to him earlier, he clarified that but the media was “misinterpreting our words” in this regard.

He emphasised that the agreement to send the French ambassador back was made by the government, which did not abide by it, which led to the turmoil. He said the deportation of the French ambassador had been referred to parliament and the government had accepted this demand.

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)

COMMENTS (2)

MIT Raath | 3 years ago | Reply After the matter settled Media should now aware of ppl like these Bawaseer Ch. and Sh. Bawaseer who are creating unrest among the nation with their media talks.

Akram Malik | 3 years ago | Reply Is Pakistan and the only Muslim country in the world There are many more Muslim states in the world but none have expelled French Ambassador or demanded the closure of the embassy. Only Pakistan with its hardline TLP leaders insisted on doing just that. The government has surrendered they have allowed the terrorists a free hand to block roads and make the life of the ordinary citizens miserable but the government considers that a victory. What kind of victory would that be I happen to be in Pakistan when the roads to the capital were blocked with this surrender it is not going to go away. It will come back with the vengeance. They have realised that the government is on the back foot. We are sliding to the same kind of government as we see in our neighbouring country Afghanistan. Heaven help us the government won t.

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