Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal Friday warned the leadership of Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) to peacefully end the 12-day long sit-in protest; otherwise, the law will take its course to implement the directives of Islamabad High Court (IHC). The warning appears to be the last option in frustration which the minister gave through a news conference in which he also gave a final offer of dialogue to the leadership of TLYR in order to resolve the issue amicably.
"We are still ready to hold dialogue and address their reservations peacefully. If they continue to show stubbiness and challenge writ of the state, law will take its course as per the court's order", he added. However, addressing the protesters after the minister's presser, Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of the TLYR, rejected the call to vacate the protest venue. "We are not going anywhere. There are thousands of people sitting here and the government should not miscalculate our passion for the cause...we came here from Lahore to sacrifice our lives for the cause of Khatam-e-Nabuwat [Finality of Prophethood]", he said, as a deadline to vacate the protest venue ended at 10:00pm on Friday.
Talking to Business Recorder, a spokesperson for the TLYR accused the government of non-seriousness to initiate negotiation for fulfillment of their demands. "We are peaceful people and will continue our protest peacefully till the fulfillment of our demands. We are ready to face any action if the government is bent upon using force against the protesters", the RLYR spokesperson said, insisting on removal of Law Minister Zahid Hamid as their key demand.
The IHC has ordered the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration to take all necessary steps to clear Faizabad Interchange by Saturday's morning. The district administration also conveyed the court's order to the sit-in leadership in writing, according to an official of the ICT administration.
He said that the TLYR leadership was also urged to vacate the Faizabad Interchange, adding that the administration has also decided if the sit-in leadership refused to vacate the place, action will be taken in the early morning of Saturday to disperse the protesters as per the court order.
"We've credible reports that there are armed people within the sit-in and certain miscreants who want bloodshed to repeat the Model Town like incident", Ahsan further told the newsmen and also appealed the religious scholars and Ulema to play their role to resolve the matter peacefully.
"Do not test the patience of the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Obey the court orders. We are still open to negotiations with you. We are all Muslims, and our faith in the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] and Islam is just as strong as yours. Do not question it," he said as he appealed to the protesters. "Leave the judging to God. Else we will be forced to take the step the court has ordered us to take", he stated, urging the protesters to disperse peacefully.
He said that there is no justification to continue the protest as clause pertaining to Khatam-e-Nabuwat [Finality of Prophethood] has been restored to its original shape in the Elections Amendment Bill, 2017 and also rectified the flaws in the 2002 law. He said that Law Minister Zahid Hamid played a central role in the new legislation together with all the political parties to restore the clauses of Khatam-e-Nabuwat to their original form. "The Parliament and the political system of the country is the safeguard of the Khatam-e-Nabuwat law and the matter has been settled down till the Day of Judgment", he remarked.
The minister said that India was taking advantage of the protest and propagating the sit-in to malign Pakistan on the international level. Besides, he said that the 2014 sit-in had already caused a huge loss to the country, adding a high-level Chinese delegation is due to arrive on Monday for a meeting with regard to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
"What kind of message we are going to convey to the world if the capital city is witnessing prolonged protests", he said, adding the TLYR leadership should respect the court order and vacates the protest venue peacefully. "Despite reservations, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif obeyed the Supreme Court order and resigned as the prime minister. The protesters should also respect the court order," he added.
He said that the leadership of the protesters had promised to Punjab government before the start of their journey from Lahore that they would only record a protest in Islamabad and then disperse peacefully. However, they camped at Faizabad Interchange by violating their earlier commitment, he said, adding that police did not take any action against them due to the countrywide processions of Chehlum of Imam Hussain (AS).
To a question, he said that the government has requisitioned Pakistan Rangers to assist Islamabad police along with the FC personnel. However, commanders of the three forces would decide as to who would lead any action if the protesters continue to refuse the court order. He also pointed out that the continued blockade of the Faizabad Interchange is creating hurdles for the residents of the twin cities, adding that the prolonged protest has brought life to a standstill in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Meanwhile, sources in the ICP administration said that the law enforcement agencies are ready to handle any situation, adding that every possible care would be made to avoid chaos.
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