By: Asem Mustafa Awan
Interior Ministry has issued a notification to remove Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) from the list of banned organizations.
TLP claims to represent the largest sect, internationally active against groups targeting the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Allama Khadim Rizvi laid the foundation of this organization. He passed away a year ago leaving his son Saad Rizvi as leader of the party.
TLP got one seat in general elections in Punjab but it emerged as the third-largest political force with Pakistan People’s Party taking a back seat.
The government in its argument against TLP pointed out that instead of focusing on the problems of the common people, it incited the public reaction against the government on the issues that were international and state response owing to the situation after 9/11 was difficult.
Terrorism, internal political strife and economic instability left the state in a weaker position to register its response internationally to the western governments. The incidents enraging the Muslims as a whole like the burning of the Holy Scripture, repeated publication of blasphemous sketches in Europe were all shameful incidents.
The Muslims all over the world protested and made boycotts and the west’s freedom of expression was condemned as a whole. The Muslim governments in particular even though weak raised their voices through the diplomatic front and the western governments were warned of the backlash.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his 2018 speech at United Nations made the most vociferous protest against western countries and condemned their attitude which incited public reaction. The premier on the highest global forum took everything in account which the west has done in the name of freedom of expression and hurt the sentiments of over a billion Muslims.
TLP on the contrary incited the public against the state and in the mass protest Muslims from both sides lost their lives. This loss of lives from state officials and the protestors was given a twisted picture by the western media which painted Pakistan as an extremist country.
Pakistan as a whole represented the sentiment of the masses but TLP on the contrary found the state efforts next to nothing and loss of lives from the two sides were portrayed the picture totally different to what was happening.
Government seeks TLP to educate its members as how to come up with solutions which the state is faced with like a pandemic, economic crisis, corruption and administrative malpractices. There is no denying the fact the TLP is a political force and as third largest party with a massive vote bank it should realize its responsibilities and act as per its stature.
TLP’s failure in crowd control forced state to ban it. The dust settled with losses incurred by both and sentiments calmed down, the state lifted the ban from TLP.
It is hoped that TLP will educate its followers that protest is their legal right but they should not burn down state and public property.
The head-on conflict between state and TLP made west to impose sanctions on Pakistan owing to extremism which would have resulted in a great setback to the nation.
The writer is a special correspondent at The Dayspring