By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government had engaged in negotiations with protesters until the very last moment, questioning whether their demonstrations were genuinely in support of Palestine or driven by other motives. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside federal ministers following a cabinet meeting, Naqvi stressed that no action would be taken against any madrasa or religious scholars, except for officials of the armed group involved in violent acts. “No religious organization or scholar will be harassed,” he insisted, seeking to reassure the public and the wider religious community.
Naqvi announced that a day of thanksgiving would be observed the following day and that there would be no further protests. He explained that discussions with members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had continued over two days and until the final hours of the standoff. “They were told to go back, and nothing would be done to them. Action was taken only against those who were armed. The armed group had taken positions and was firing directly,” he said, emphasizing the difference between peaceful demonstrators and violent elements.
“Even today, we say peaceful protest is your right. We have footage showing vehicles being taken at gunpoint during the march. All security forces who cleared the roads deserve appreciation,” Naqvi added. He described how the armed group had positioned themselves on rooftops and mosque minarets, warning that such actions could not be tolerated. “What has happened over the past two or three months that a major protest becomes necessary every fifteen days? Even now, we maintain that peaceful protest is a democratic right,” he said.
Information Minister Atta Tarar criticised the violent elements, contrasting the TLP protest with peaceful demonstrations elsewhere. “In Italy, protests took place without a single object being damaged. When Tehreek-e-Labbaik came out to protest, they had modern weapons, bricks, and stones. Armed men caused damage to public and private property and even dragged an SHO out of his vehicle and shot him,” he said. Tarar emphasized that Pakistan had always advocated for Palestine at international forums, underlining that violence undermined legitimate causes.
