Libek announces to end sit-in after resolution against France in National Assembly

A few days ago, there were clashes between the banned TLP and the forces.( Image Credit: VOA Urdu) 

Islamabad -The banned Tehreek-e-Libek Pakistan (TLP) has announced an end to sit-ins and protests after a resolution was tabled in the Pakistani National Assembly on the deportation of the French ambassador.

Allama Shafiq Amini, leader of the banned TLP's central council, said in a video statement on Tuesday that it was the first time in Pakistan's history that such a resolution had been passed in the National Assembly.

"There is no need for any protests or sit-ins now that our demand has been met," he said.

He said that wherever protests were taking place, including the central sit-in in Lahore, it had been called off.

Earlier, a resolution was tabled in the National Assembly for the deportation of the French ambassador after talks between the banned Tehreek-e-Libek Pakistan and the government in Pakistan.

However, the opposition Pakistan People's Party did not attend the meeting, while the PML-N said the opposition was not taken into confidence over the resolution.

|The text of the resolution

The resolution, introduced on Tuesday, calls for the expulsion of the French ambassador to be discussed in the National Assembly.

According to the resolution, all European countries, especially France, will be made aware of the seriousness of the issue, while the issue will also be discussed with Muslim countries.

The resolution condemned the publication of sketches of the Prophet of Islam and decided to raise the issue in international forums.

The resolution said that international affairs should be decided by the state and no individual, group or party could exert undue pressure on the issue. Provincial governments should set aside space for protests so that they do not interfere with the people's daily lives.

Pakistan's National Assembly was scheduled to convene on Thursday. However, it was rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon after talks with Maulana Saad Rizvi, head of the banned Tehreek-e-Libek, lodged in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore on Monday night.

When the National Assembly session began, National Assembly member Amjad Ali Khan presented a resolution on France. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Khan moved a motion to form a parliamentary committee to discuss the issue, which was approved by the House.

Image Credit: VOA Urdu 

|'Resolution should have been presented unanimously'

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed reservations over the way the resolution was tabled, saying the government had not consulted the opposition on the issue.

He said that a unanimous resolution on the issue should be tabled in the House. Therefore, we will review this resolution and respond to it.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that instead of a special committee on this issue, a committee of the entire House should be formed.

Members of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) did not attend the meeting.

On social media, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the parliament was not taken into confidence at any level. Now the PTI wants to hide behind the parliament. Addressing Imran Khan, he said, "Prime Minister, this is the stench you have spread." Clean it yourself or go home.

A meeting of the National Assembly chaired by Speaker Asad Qaiser was also held on Monday during which the issue of a crackdown against the banned TLP was adjourned till Thursday after a commotion.

Before the meeting, separate parliamentary party meetings of government and opposition parties were held. The text of the resolution to deport the French ambassador was presented at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

|When did the talks between the government and the TLP take place?

Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid had said in a video statement released on Tuesday morning that matters had been settled after talks between the government and the banned Tehreek-e-Lubaik Pakistan (TLP). Sheikh Rashid had claimed that the banned TLP P will end the sit-ins from all over the country, especially from the Rehmat-ul-Alamin Mosque in Lahore. The dialogue between the government and the organization will be taken forward.

According to the Home Minister, the cases registered against the banned TLP members will be dropped and the dropped cases will include Fourth Schedule cases.

The government team had lengthy talks with banned TLP leader Saad Hussain Rizvi on Monday night.

Remember that Saad Rizvi is currently in custody. The government negotiating team that met him included Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Punjab Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja.

Before the government team, a delegation of Ulema led by Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Chairman Punjab Quran Board, also met Saad Rizvi in ​​Kot Lakhpat Jail.

According to jail sources, the meeting was five hours long in which the Ulema had appealed to Saad Rizvi to end the sit-in.

On Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said in his brief address to the nation that severing ties with France and expelling the ambassador would cause economic hardship to Pakistan.

It may be recalled that last year in France, there was a nationwide protest by Tehreek-e-Lubaik Pakistan against the insulting sketches of the Prophet of Islam. Protesters also staged a sit-in in Islamabad, demanding the deportation of the French ambassador and a boycott of French goods.

An agreement was later reached between the government and the protesters, in which the government assured the deportation of the French ambassador through parliament.