They criticized the party leadership for “exploiting the Palestinian cause” to provoke internal unrest.
TLP leaders in Multan hold a press conference. Photo: Express
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Several Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) ticket holders from South Punjab announced on Friday that they were parting ways with the banned group, saying their latest call for protest was unwarranted and detrimental to the country’s interests.
At a press conference in Multan, the former TLP ticket holders said their decision to part ways was taken without any external pressure. They criticized the party leadership for “exploiting the Palestinian cause” to provoke internal unrest.
“The TLP had no reason to protest on behalf of Palestine,” said one of the leaders. “Even the Palestinians were satisfied with the agreement, but the party called for protests here. It was an inappropriate move at a time when the country was facing external and internal challenges.”
Dissidents said the TLP’s long march inflicted damage on the country rather than serving any national or religious purpose. “We are leaving the TLP and will not be part of any movement that destabilizes Pakistan.”
“This country was created in the name of Kalma. It will exist until the end of time. No hostile power can cast an evil eye on it,” he said.
Muhammad Hussain Babar said the group was breaking away from the TLP without any coercion. Rao Arif Sajjad added that Pakistan cannot afford chaos and internal discord.
One leader said the party was “systematically benefiting the country’s enemies,” which is why “we have decided to separate from the TLP.”
He further noted that militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had also expressed their support for the TLP in a recently released video message.
Last week, the Home Office formally imposed a ban on the TLP, saying the federal government had “reasonable grounds” to believe the religious political group was involved in acts of terrorism.
The decision came a day after the federal cabinet, on the proposal of the Punjab government, approved the ban under the Anti-Terrorism Act. It came after days of violent demonstrations in Gaza that left several protesters and police officers dead and paralyzed major roads and urban centers from Karachi to Islamabad.
