Tehreek-e-Labbaik's long march: Rangers deployed in Punjab, government decides to deal with banned organization as 'militant' group
Pakistan's federal cabinet has decided that the banned religious group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, which is marching towards Islamabad, will be dealt with as a 'militant group'.
On the other hand, it has been decided to deploy Rangers for a period of two months to control the law and order situation created due to this long march in Punjab.
The long march of Tehreek-e-Labbaik, which started from Lahore on Friday, is currently at Kamunki in Gujranwala district and so far several people, including four policemen, have been killed and hundreds injured in violent clashes between the convoy and police.
Announcing the deployment of Rangers in Punjab, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that the decision was taken at the request of the Punjab government under Article 147 of the Constitution and the provincial government could use them wherever it wanted for two months.
He said that the Punjab government has also been given the authority to use Section 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act under which paramilitary agencies can be used to prevent "terrorism".
Sheikh Rashid called on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik to end the protests and warned that his organization should not be banned internationally and would be listed as a terrorist because his case would not be in Pakistan's hands.
''Their agenda is something else"
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on the demand of expulsion of the French ambassador by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan said that there is no French ambassador in Pakistan, however "their agenda is something else".
He said he was still urging the Libek movement to return.
He also said that Rangers stationed in Punjab have been given policing powers under Section 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Under the law, the armed forces or paramilitary agencies (Rangers, Frontier Corps) have police powers that police, military or paramilitary personnel can use to prevent 'terrorist acts' or crimes under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Can fire, make arrests without a warrant and enter a place without a warrant for search, arrest or confiscation of weapons, etc.
TLP cannot challenge state writ
Earlier, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday briefed the federal cabinet on the government's decisions and said that the TLP was not a political party. He added that the banned TLP could not challenge the state's writ.
He said a "clear policy decision" had been made in consultation with the military, intelligence agencies and relevant authorities that the Labbaik movement would be considered a militant group.
Fawad Chaudhry added that "the same will be done with the TLP as the rest of the terrorist organizations have been eliminated."
Referring to the Election Commission's permission for the TLP to contest elections, he said that all institutions had a "duty to play their part".
"No force was used anywhere."
The federal information minister said the government had shown no tolerance and had not used force.
"People who are campaigning on YouTube and social media and spreading false news should reconsider their attitudes now," he said.
He said that some of them are also members of the media.
He said the culture of fake news would no longer be tolerated as it was a matter of "honor of the state of Pakistan" and "the lives of the citizens".
"Powerful circles that stigmatize terrorism should look into their own necks"
On the other hand, the spokesman of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan has said that the government has reneged on its promises and then resorted to violence.
Responding to the press conferences of the Pakistani ministers, the spokesperson said that the powerful circles who have branded the movement as terrorists should look into their own pockets.
He also said that "the nation is being told that they are negotiating and we are not even being contacted." Are He also demanded the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan and the recall of the Pakistani ambassador from France.
The TLP march reached Kamunki
The banned religious and political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, claiming failure to negotiate with the federal government, had on Wednesday launched a long march towards the federal capital Islamabad once again. Has arrived and police are trying to stop his advance.
Mufti Umair, leader of the Long March Tehreek-e-Labbaik says, claimed that his workers had removed all obstacles at the Sadhuki site and moved on.
According to details, after the resumption of the long march, the police at Sadhuki again tried to stop the convoy and used tear gas.
Clashes have also broken out between police and Tehreek-e-Libek activists, who have also reportedly seized at least seven police vehicles.
According to a police spokesman, ASI Akbar, a member of Kasur police, was killed and 64 others were injured in fresh clashes on Wednesday. According to Gujranwala police, the injured personnel have been shifted to local hospitals.
Tehreek-e-Labbaik has also claimed that more than ten of its workers were killed and hundreds injured, but this claim could not be confirmed by independent sources. Tehreek-e-Labbaik has also accused police of firing and throwing acid bottles.
In response to the French ambassador's deportation and the release of Saad Rizvi, Tehreek-e-Labbaik launched a long march from Lahore on October 22 and reached Muridke area in Gujranwala district on the night of October 23.
After initial talks between the government and the Tehreek-e-Libek, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik's Shura announced a stay in Muridke, giving the government until the evening of October 26 to implement the demands.
Mufti Umair Al-Azhari speaking, a member of the Shura of Tehreek-e-Lubaik Pakistan, said that after the demands of the government were not met, the Shura of the party on Wednesday morning ordered the workers to march towards Islamabad. Orders were issued after which thousands of workers started their journey from Muridke to Islamabad on GT Road.
Roadblocks, roads and internet blocked
Due to the long march, mobile internet service has also been suspended in different parts of Punjab including Gujranwala district.
Roadblocks have also been set up on the roads leading to Islamabad to stop the convoy, while large potholes have been dug on the road near Sadhuki. Sadhuki GT Road was already closed with mud containers.
The process of erecting containers and barriers on the entry and exit routes of Islamabad and Rawalpindi has started since Tuesday evening. ''Orders were issued to temporarily remove the barriers as talks between the government and the TLP began''.
According to the federal administration, Faizabad Chowk, located at the confluence of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has been completely closed due to containers on all sides, while containers have also been placed on Murree Road, the main highway of Rawalpindi.
Security has been heightened in both the cities. According to police officials, a heavy contingent of police and Rangers has been deployed to maintain law and order in Islamabad.
According to the city administration, it has been decided to stop metro bus service and mobile phone service in the twin cities from Wednesday morning.