Hostage policemen released by TLP religious party after government negotiations
Eleven security personnel who were taken hostage by the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party in Lahore were released in the early hours of Monday morning.
“Talks have started with the TLP. The first round of negotiations went well and the second round will take place after Sehri” Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said in a video message. “They [TLP] have released 11 abducted policemen hostages and have gone into the Rehmatul Lil Alameen Mosque. The police have also stepped back,” he said.
The development was reported following the first round of negotiations with the government.
“The government believes in negotiations but can’t be blackmailed” Information Minister Fawad Hussain Chaudhry said.
The violent protest by the radical ultra right-wing group erupted in the country after TLP chief Saad Rizvi was arrested in Lahore a day after he threatened the government with rallies if it did not expel the French envoy to Islamabad over depictions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) published in France last year.
The protests paralyzed major cities and highways, leading to the deaths of six policemen, according to the government. Thousands of TLP workers were also arrested, police said.