Govt to treat TTP as militant group as state's writ is unchallangeable: Fawad

Islamabad: Proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) will not be allowed to challenge the writ of the state and will be treated as a "militant" group and not a religious party, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry categorically said on Wednesday.

The minister's remarks came as fresh violence erupted between law enforcers and banned TLP supporters near Sadhoke in Punjab's Gujranwala district, leaving three cops martyred and deveral others wounded. 

Fawad told a news conference after the federal cabinet's meeting that the banned group was established in 2015 and since then, their modus operandi has been to come out on the roads and block them. "But there is a limit to the state's patience"

He said people have a right to their "ideas" but can't be allowed to take up arms if their ideas are not heard.

"In today's cabinet meeting, it was decided that such activities will not be tolerated. We will not tolerate those who challenge the writ of the state," he said, adding that the Pakistani state had defeated major terrorist organisation such as Al Qaeda.

"No one should make the mistake of thinking that the state is weak. Those who made this mistake later realised they were wrong."

Chaudhry said that the TLP had no "status" or access to arms like other terror groups. He said that a "show" had been staged the past six times, and the government had shown "great restraint".

"We don't want blood to be spilt but some of their (TLP's) leadership don't care about whether people are killed. They want blood to be spilt on the roads."

The minister said that last time, six policemen were martyred and more than 700 injured in clashes with TLP workers. Now, three cops have been martyred in two days and more than 49 are injured, he said.

"How long will we show restraint?" the minister asked. He said that on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had chaired a meeting which included intelligence officials.

The minister said a clear policy decision had been taken that banned TLP would now be treated as a militant party.

"We will not treat them as a political party and that the rest of the country's institutions should also play their role," Fawad said.