Pakistan’s Nationwide Strike In TLP Support

Influential clerics have called for a shutter-down strike across Pakistan today, Monday, to support the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) that was banned by the government for outbreaks of violence and protesting last week.

The ex-head of the moon-sighting Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s Fazlur Rehman both announced their support Sunday night. 

Mufti Muneeb requested the government to release TLP workers and take back its ban on the group.

“I announce that after today’s incident, the French ambassador’s departure from Pakistan has been stopped,” stated Fazlur Rehman. “I am mentioning that if the bodies of TLP martyrs are sent to Islamabad, we will support them.”

He also said, “Terrorists are not those who talk against the respect of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) but Terrorists are Imran Khan and his cabinet ministers.”

Early morning today, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed announced that the government had started dialogs with the TLP, and the second round of talks will commence after sehri.

According to Interior Minister, 11 policemen have been released by the TLP held by it as captives following clashes with the Lahore police on Sunday. The TLP men have moved to Rehmatul Lil Alameen mosque and the police have also withdrawn, he added.

Read more: Pakistan Temporarily Blocks Facebook, Twitter After TLP's Protests

“We have been working out to reach an agreement with them for the past two months, but they are not ready to compromise on their demands,” he stated in a media talk on Sunday. “TLP has been given a notice of three days and a month to submit its response,” Rasheed added.