Fawad urges to thwart efforts aimed at fanning violence, extremism

The minister turned to his official twitter handle and wrote, “Tehreek-e-Labaik like extremist outfit wants to change the identity of Islam”.

“The strong foundation of Islam was laid in the sub-continent by the Sufi saints through their message of affection, sincerity and respect for humanity,” he added.

برصغیر میں اسلام درگاہوں،اولیائے کرام کی تبلیغ بزرگان دین کی محبت، اخلاص اورانسانیت کے درس کی مضبوط بنیادوں پر استوار ہوا، لبیک جیسے شدت پسند گروہ اسلام کی اس شناخت کو بدلنا چاہتے ہیں اور تشدد اور انتہاپسندی کو ہوا دینا چاہتے ہیں ایسی کوششوں کو ناکام بناناہر مسلمان کا فرض ہے

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 15, 2021

His remarks came a day after the federal government decided to impose a ban on the TLP whose supporters rioted across the country for the past three days.

While addressing a presser on Wednesday, the interior minister Sheikh Rasheed said that the decision has been taken under the anti-terror law on the request of the Punjab government

“Considering the recent violent activities including abduction of policemen and destroying of public property, the government decided to ban TLP under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, (11) B,” he said.

Sheikh Rasheed further stated that at two police officers were martyred while more than 300 suffered injuries as a result of protests by TLP.

“The TLP members also held several police officers as hostage in order to pressurize government,” he said adding that no case registered against TLP men will be taken back. A detailed summary will be forwarded to the federal cabinet to ban the party,” he said.

On Monday, the demonstrations were sparked by the arrest of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leader Saad Rizvi in Lahore on unspecified charges.

The protestors blocked several roads of major cities including Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi causing massive jams. Clashes between police and demonstrators were also reported from Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and several other cities where police officials fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters, who fought back in some places by pelting stones at police officers.

Injuries to protesters and police officers were also reported from several cities.