Government made efforts for peaceful resolution, but TLP chose violence: Naqvi

Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan of taking a violent approach during recent protests, including armed groups firing at police. saying that the government made sincere efforts for a peaceful resolution, but its leadership opted for violence, Express News reported.

At a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Naqvi emphasized that while there was violence during the protest, it was only directed against those who had participated in violence. He also defended the police’s actions in clearing roads and praised the forces involved in the operation.

“The TLP resorted to violence and armed protests. Its groups, with weapons, fired at the security forces. But apart from the TLP leaders, no action will be taken against any seminary or religious figure,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi also clarified the situation of the protests and explained that the negotiations continued until the last moment. He claimed that TLP leaders were repeatedly asked to leave without any resolution.

“The negotiations continued until 2:30 am. Each time they were told that nothing would be promised,” Naqvi said, adding that the protesters’ demands were far beyond reason. He questioned whether the real goal of the protest was Palestine or securing the release of certain people.

He also expressed concern about the increasing frequency of large protests in the country. He warned that while peaceful protests were permitted, violent protests involving weapons and property damage would not be tolerated. He also revealed images of protesters using weapons to seize threatened vehicles.

Naqvi dismissed claims that there had been no dialogue and claimed that senior religious and political figures in Pakistan had attempted to mediate, only to be misled by protest leaders.

“There seems to be a coordinated effort behind these protests. We are witnessing a pattern in recent months where a large protest is organized every 15 days,” he added. He linked these protests to larger, if indirect, forces, although he stopped short of naming them.

Despite the violence, Naqvi reiterated that peaceful protests will continue to be respected, but that the government will not allow any illegal action. The government remains firm in its stance on law and order, with no tolerance for violence under the guise of protest.

The Minister of Home Affairs was accompanied by Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar, Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf and Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry.

Minister of Information calls for a strategy of violence to destabilize the law and order of the country

Attaullah Tarar condemned the violence, calling it a deliberate strategy aimed at destabilizing the law and order of the country under the guise of protests.

He said: “Who gave protesters the right to damage public and private property? Protesters martyred a police inspector. What was his fault that he was shot 21 times?”

He added: “We will not allow arson or destruction of peace under any circumstances. More than 100 police officers were subjected to violence during the protests.”

Tarar noted that Pakistan had consistently raised its voice for the Palestinian cause in various international forums, which had earned recognition from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan for their support.

He noted the contrast between protests in Pakistan and those held globally in solidarity with Palestine, where no violence or property damage had been reported.

“In Pakistan, however, violent protesters, armed with sophisticated weapons, took to the streets, attacking police personnel and damaging property,” he added.