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ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday approved the summary sent by the Punjab chief minister to de-proscribe Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party, almost one week after the federal government and the banned outfit signed a secret deal.
In April, the federal government had declared the TLP a proscribed outfit under the anti-terrorism law. According to official sources, the Ministry of Interior sent the summary after the TLP made a request to the Punjab government for its de-proscription.
In line with the deal struck with the TLP, the Punjab government has already removed the names of dozens of TLP workers among 90 from the fourth schedule. As per the summary, in view of the commitment and assurance given by the organisation as well as keeping in view the larger national interest, the provincial cabinet had asked the federal government to consider de-proscription of the TLP.
“The prime minister has been pleased to accord permission for submission of the instant summary to the cabinet through circulation under Rule 17 (1)(b) of the Rules of Business, 1973,” the summary stated, adding that “the approval of the cabinet is [now] solicited to de-proscribe the TLP under […] Anti-Terrorism Act ,1997 on the recommendation of the Punjab government.”
Following the signing of a secret agreement between the government and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), the Punjab government sent its recommendations to the federal government to lift ban on the banned religious outfit.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar granted the initial approval to the summary sent to him for the revocation of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)’s proscribed status. The summary was sent to him by the Punjab home department. After granting preliminary approval to the summary, the CM has now sent it to the Federal Cabinet to take a final decision regarding the matter through circulation.
According to the Rules of Business, 1973, approval by circulation means that a summary is sent to federal ministers for their opinion. The ministers’ recommendations are then sent to the prime minister after a stipulated period of time for further decisions on the matter. If a minister fails to respond within the stipulated time period, it is assumed that they have approved the recommendations made in the summary.
After granting preliminary approval to the summary, the CM had sent it to the Ministry of Interior to take a final decision regarding the matter through circulation. The Ministry for Interior, after receiving the summary to change TLP’s status, had sent it to the federal cabinet on Saturday.
‘Government’s commitment’
Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Thursday that the government is committed to fulfill agreement signed with the banned outfit TLP. The interior minister sated this while talking to reporters after attending a ceremony of Rescue 1122 here in Lahore. Sheikh Rashid also claimed that chief of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Saad Rizvi, had insisted on the closure of the French embassy in his talks with the interior minister.
Deadly clashes
Defying police crackdown and removing large size ship containers, thousands of workers of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) left Lahore for Islamabad one week ago. Violent clashes broke out between police and the protesters as police lobbed tear gas shells into the crowd to disperse the protesters. A TLP spokesman Saturday claimed that five of their supporters died in the clashes during the last two days while at least two police officials were also killed.
“Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan lost two people Friday night and three more today to police firing,” the party tweeted. TLP members began their journey on Friday with the goal of reaching the capital, Islamabad, to pressure the government to release Saad Rizvi, the party’s head.
Earlier, five police died and several others were wounded as violent clashes erupted between anti-riot police units and supporters of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore and Muridke.
The clashes broke out when thousands of TLP members launched the ‘long march’ from the city towards the capital, Islamabad, and tried to remove security barriers.