ISLAMABAD: Federal government’s team today said the government and the proscribed religious outfit, TLP have made an agreement.
Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman said the negotiations between the government and the banned militant Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan have finally reached a positive conclusion with an agreement. He, however, said details of the agreement will be made public at an appropriate time.
Mufti said, “The agreement was reached after sense prevailed over aggression. This is not the win or loss of anyone. This is the victory of Pakistan, Islam, patriotism, and the security of the nation.”
Mufti Munib said this in a joint press conference with foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other participants of talks between the government and TLP.
The agreement, which will be revealed at the “right time”, was backed by Saad Rizvi. “As the English phrase goes… Actions speak louder than words… In the next week, you will see the positive outcome of the agreement,” Mufti Munib said, adding that a steering committee has been formed to oversee the implementation.
The committee comprises Punjab’s minister for law and home secretary. Mufti Ghulam Ghous Baghdadi and Engr. Hafeezullah Alavi will represent TLP in the committee.
“This not an agreement which is prepared in the morning and then withdrawn later on,” Rehman pointed out.
A TLP spokesperson said that the agreement is based on 13 points.
Govt chose peace: Qureshi
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who addressed the press conference alongside the ulemas, said that the government chose the path of peace instead of chaos and bloodshed.
He thanked the religious leaders for “saving the country from a test”.
“On Friday when I returned from Tehran, the National Security Council meeting was called,” he said. “After contemplation, it was decided that talks will be preferred and the focus will be to resolve this issue with sensibility.”
The minister regretted the loss of lives, property, chaos at hospitals, and difficulty in the movement of people during the TLP protests.
“In the light of the prime minister’s orders and keeping in view of the nation’s interest, we realise that powers who want to harm Pakistan could have benefited [from the unrest],” Qureshi said.
He then said that there would be no question and answers session with the media personnel.
PM’s key offer
The development comes after Prime Minister Imran Khan made a key offer to TLP leaders during a meeting with ulemas Saturday as he sought their help in defusing the ongoing tensions between the two groups.
He said his government will not oppose the release of TLP Chief Saad Rizvi if courts make a decision, but he would not issue an executive order in this regard. The prime minister added that the concession was linked to TLP activists ending their long march. He allowed the ulema to meet Saad Rizvi.
After the meeting with ulemas, a new negotiation team was formed. It is led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and comprises National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and MNA Ali Mohammad Khan.
Consequently, Saad Rizvi and three senior members of the TLP central committee — Maulana Shafiq Amini, Engineer Hafezullah, and Pir Inayatul Haq — were brought to Islamabad from Lahore for direct negotiations.
Earlier on Sunday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed told SAMAA TV: “Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, and other leaders will reveal all the details at a press conference at 11:15am.”
The press conference was, however, delayed as some members of the TLP central committee were on their way to Islamabad.
Protesters waiting in Wazirabad
Meanwhile, thousand of TLP supporters have been stationed near Wazirabad’s GT Road waiting for orders from their leaders. They have been told to wait until talks with the government are over.
