National Security Committee (NSC) agreed not to tolerate any further breach of law by the proscribed TLP group
Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) said that no group or entity will be allowed to cause public disruption or use violence to pressure the government.
The government has agreed to continue negotiations with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to cease march towards the federal capital, but emphasized that there would not be any compromise on the “crimes” committed by the group.
The Committee agreed that TLP would not be allowed to challenge the writ of the state in any way. Theywarned that the state’s restraint should not be seen as a sign of weakness.
The 35th meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) convened by Prime Minister Imran Khan on October 29, 2021, at Prime Minister House, was attended by relevant Federal Cabinet members, National Security Adviser, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all three Services Chiefs, DGs of ISI, IB and FIA, and senior civil and military officers.
The NSC received a detailed briefing on the country’s internal security situation and the ongoing agitation by TLP.
PM Imran Khan stressed that “no group or entity will be allowed to cause public disruption or use violence to pressure the government.” Taking serious note of the unprovoked violent attacks committed by TLP members, the Committee resolved not to tolerate any further breach of law by the proscribed group.
Misuse of religion and inciting violence to gain strength
Prime minister instructed that all measures and actions necessary to enforce the law and protect the interests of the state and public shall be ensured.
The NSC participants recalled that TLP had adopted the ploy of violent street agitation on numerous occasions since 2017 and made unrealistic demands each time, solely as a tool to gain political strength. “TLP’s actions have caused public disorder, serious economic losses to the country, besides boosting the morale of other terrorist outfits seeking to challenge the state’s writ.”
Participants decried TLP’s misuse of religion and the issue of Namoos-e-Risalat for political gains, which was misleading the common man and creating internal discord within society. TLP’s violence had ended up furthering the agenda of sectarian elements and external enemies of the state.
Police praised
The Committee praised the police for their professionalism and restraint despite being directly targeted and suffering casualties, including four martyrs and over 400 injured.
While emphasizing that the government recognized the right of peaceful protest of all Pakistanis, Committee members said that TLP was deliberately employing violence against public property, state officials, and ordinary citizens to create instability in the country and that this shall not be tolerated. “All organs of the state stood ready to act as per the law to protect the life and property of citizens.”
The Prime Minister and Committee members expressed condolences at the loss of life of policemen and committed to compensating and looking after their families.
Commending the exceptional performance of the law enforcement agencies, the Prime Minister assured that the government will firmly stand behind them as they act to enforce the law and protect the public.
The Committee took notice that no previous government or Prime Minister had taken such an unequivocal, public international stance on the issue of Namoos-e-Risalat and Islamophobia. Under the current government, Pakistan has successfully brought these issues to the fore of international diplomatic discourse in the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and European Union, among other fora. One key objective of establishing the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority is also to intellectually counter international propaganda against Islam and the sanctity of the Prophet (PBUH).