ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday called on the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to stick to the promises, saying that the government would not allow Pakistan’s loss at any cost.
The minister made the comments while speaking on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ during which he spoke about the recent protests by the group.
“You are our brothers, so we don’t want to fight with you. However, Prime Minister Imran Khan will not allow Pakistan to be held hostage by anyone,” the minister added. “Pakistan is an atomic power, therefore, internal powers are trying to weaken the country,” he said.
The federal minister further said that owing to the ongoing situation and protests the ambassador of France got scared and fled the country. “When the French ambassador is not present in the country, and the government has submitted a resolution in this regard, then why are you marching towards Islamabad?” he asked TLP.
“If you continue to march towards Islambad despite the government trying to hold talks and PM Imran Khan showing maximum flexibility, then you will be stopped,” the minister told the banned organizaton.
“The state will not allow anyone to challenge its writ, therefore, I would request this proscribed organisation to return home,” he said, adding, “The conditions you have created will not benefit you.”
The minister said that the government was left with no other choice than to deploy the Rangers in Punjab so that the lives and property of the people could be protected. He added that despite the government’s attempts to negotiate with the TLP, there has, so far, been no progress.
Regarding the talks that the government had held with the prescribed organisation today, Rashid said that the government has accepted most of the demands of the TLP but the matter regarding the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan would put the country in a critical position.
“This is because France is heading the European Union,” the minister said, adding that Pakistan is undergoing a financial crisis, therefore, it cannot afford international isolation as it would affect the poor masses of the country.
