PTI government’s bold decision

On Saturday, briefing the media regarding countrywide crackdown against TLP leaders, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leaders, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Pir Afzal Qadri, Inayatul Haq Shah and Hafiz Farooqul Hassan have been charged with treason and terrorism. With this bold decision, government’s position has been vindicated. Chaudhry Fawad said that that a total of 2,899 people were taken into protective custody from across Punjab while 139 persons from Sindh and 126 from Islamabad were also taken into custody. The crackdown against TLP had come ahead of Rizvi’s call to party members to observe martyrs’ day on November 25. He had asked workers and supporters to gather at Faizabad in the federal capital – the same venue where the party had staged a 22days-long sit-in last year that had virtually paralysed the federal capital, caused loss of property and led to several people losing their lives.
Rizvi and his fellow party leaders are accused of staging violent protests, passing incendiary remarks against the judiciary and the prime minister as well as provoking the military to stage a mutiny, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Aasia Bibi in a blasphemy case. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi was taken into protective custody by Lahore police on 23rd November. On 2nd November, 2018, Activists of religio-political parties led by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) turned violent in Lahore, especially on the motorway near Faizpur Interchange, where they wreaked havoc on public properties, torched vehicles and thrashed citizens. They also clashed with police and injured 20 of them including Ferozwala DSP who had to be admitted to the Mayo Hospital in a critical condition. The mob of 100 or so people had gone berserk on the motorway and damaged cars and trucks.
Mobile phone footage had gone viral on the social media showing the TLP activists setting the vehicles on fire, with the motorists trapped in their cars. Another group of protesters holding iron rods and clubs was seen damaging vehicles as the owners stood by helplessly. SP Operations Syed Ali said police had managed to have the Babu Sabu Interchange cleared. “However, a group of more than 100 activists of a religious group again occupied the place, blocking the roads for traffic,” he said. Almost similar situation was reported in many other parts of the city. The hooligans vandalised shops, set motorcycle-rickshaws and two-wheelers on fire. They also used barbed wires and smoky tyres to block traffic at various places. On Ghazi Road, a group of TLP workers mostly young boys attacked a family in their car and reportedly snatched their purses.
Earlier in April 2018, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) had declared cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi among other Tehreek-e-Labaik leaders as absconders in Faizabad dharna case. The prosecution said that cases are registered against Khadim Rizvi and four other leaders of the Faizabad sit-in, however, they are not presenting themselves before the court. Following the court orders, the police presented a report before the judges, according to which the security forces have pasted posters of the absconders in the police station, the seminary walls and in the court premises. However, in April 2018 the court shelved three cases against Khadim Hussain Rizvi and others over their involvement in cases of violence during the Faizabad sit-in last year. An anti-terrorism court stopped the hearings against them for an indefinite period of time on the prosecution’s request, as police was investigating the cases and fresh FIR would be filed.
Having that said, the Tehrik-e-Labaik (TLP) has become a threat to the life and properties of the people of Pakistan. Such elements have no regard for the government, state institutions and the people of Pakistan, and they continue with their damaging politics under the cover of religion. Islam abhors violence, unrest, strife and disorder in the society, but this religious party shows utter disregard to Islamic injunctions. They have been challenging the writ of the state in the past and could not be allowed to do that in future. Indeed, progress and prosperity of Pakistan lies in peace, stability and rule of law and not in disorder, instability and law of jungle. State is responsible to defend finality, dignity and respect of Holy Prophet (PBUH), and it cannot be left to individuals to take law in their hands. Anyhow, by registering cases against TLP leaders, the government’s position has been vindicated.