Sheikh Rashid warns TLP protesters to go back or things will be out of his hands

He advised them to return to their normal lives otherwise "things will be out of my hands".

In an interaction with Geo News' programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath', the minister categorically said the government would stop the group from entering Islamabad.

He urged the protesters to turn back, otherwise the state would be left with no choice but to "establish its writ".

The minister made it clear that as the government does not want violence, Prime Minister Imran Khan would not allow the country to become "hostage".

"Your loss is our loss," Rashid said while addressing the TLP protesters. He said the group talked about the finality of Prophethood, something which all Muslims believed in. "Why don't you believe us when we say that the French envoy has left the country?"

Rashid said Pakistan was the centre of Islam and damaging the country would not serve the religion in any way, adding PM Imran is the first person to form the Rehmatullil Alameen Authority and take the country towards making it a welfare state like Madina.

The minister said he had spoken to the TLP leadership including the group's chief Saad Hussain Rizvi multiple times in recent days and would talk to them again on Friday (tomorrow) and Saturday. "However, the talks would only be held after the TLP returns."

He said the Rangers had to be called in Punjab so that matters could be resolved, adding that matters with the TLP remained unresolved till now. Ahmed said the TLP had committed to unblocking roads and the group should fulfil its promise.

"Otherwise, matters will go out of my hand," he warned.

He said he had been trying to convince the TLP to keep its promises, "but if you keep moving forward towards Islamabad, you will have to be stopped at some point".

Accoridng to the minister, PM Imran has shown as much flexibility in the matter as he could.

He said while the government had accepted many of the TLP's demands, the latter hadn't agreed to return to their headquarters.

Reiterating that the prime minister had shown as much flexibility as was possible on the matter, the minister said the government couldn't be compelled to do something.

"Our agreement with you still stands, but if you keep moving [towards Islamabad], the government will have to establish its writ," he said while addressing the protesters.

"The government is being mocked across the world [for not establishing its writ]," he said, adding that "matters should not reach a point of no-return". "This time, PM Imran has decided that enough is enough."

He said the prime ministers had tried his best to resolve issues with the TLP, but the government's writ had to be established and whatever order the premier would give for the purpose, the interior ministry was bound to accept them.

"We are ready to go through with our agreement with the TLP," the minister said, warning the TLP of consequences it didn't follow through with its commitments. "I don't want matters to worsen, and if that happens, those out on the road would face loss."

The minister said the TLP had been declared a proscribed group, but it had not been banned.

"They can continue to play their political role, but in case this situation escalates, Imran Khan will have to take a decision," he remarked.

He said police department reacted over martyrdom of four policemen in clashes with the TLP.

"There are conspiracies under way to destabilise Pakistan and impose sanctions on us, but we should have the sense" to resolve the problem peacefully, he said, adding that Muslim lives had also been lost in the killing of policemen.

Replying to a question regarding entering into an agreement with the proscribed organisation, Rashid said he took the step after seeking the approval of the prime minister.