Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A group of ministers on Tuesday hinted at conducting an operation in case authorities failed to reach a peaceful agreement with protesters holding a sit-in at Faizabad interchange, the main junction between the twin cities.

During a press conference at the Press Information Department, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry and State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division urged protestors to voluntarily end their sit-in.

Religious groups, led by Tehreek-e-Labaik Yah Rasool Allah Pakistan and Sunni Tehreek Pakistan, are holding a sit-in at Faizabad Interchange from last nine days, and have been demanding the removal of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid from his position, calling for an inquiry against him over a recent legislation, which was later reversed by the government, about Khatm-e-Nabuwat.

State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry told the reporters that the government had showed extreme tolerance and restraint while listening the demands of protesters because it wanted to settle the issue through negotiations and dialogue. “However, most of their demands are illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.

“The demand to remove the law minister is totally irrational. Even they (protesters) could not give us a solid reason in this regard. People who are using the name of religion have breached their commitment which they made with Punjab government in beginning to not disrupt the normal lift after reaching Islamabad,” he said.

He said that the government could remove these protesters easily. “However, we don’t want to take a harsh step. If these religious leaders will not show flexibility, then we will have to vacate the venue,” he said.

Without naming anybody, he also criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for paving the way for others to hold sit-ins to fulfill their demands. “We are paying a price for those who set a tradition to hold sit-ins,” he said.

On the occasion, Sardar Muhammad Yousef recalled that it was Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s government in 1992, which made changes in 295-C and included the death sentence for blasphemy charges.

“We all are first and foremost Muslims. We have a firm belief in the finality of prophethood,” he said.

He further said that the government and the assembly had fulfilled their respective responsibilities. “The controversial legislation was reverted back to its original form without any delay. Even then, we we are ready to listen to the grievances of everyone. Closing roads is not justified socially, morally and even religiously because it makes the life of common citizen miserable,” Sardar Muhammad Yousef said.

“It is my humble request before protesting leaders to end their sit-in as their protest has been recorded and government has taken notice of it,” he said.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the protesters should realise that they were creating problems for other people.

“People are facing hardships as most of the educational institutions and hospitals are situated at urban side of the city. Commuters are also forced to reach their destinations after taking long detour,” he said.

To a question, the minister ruled out any possibility of the involvement of any state institution behind this protest. “There is no involvement of any institution within the country. However, we are holding an inquiry to ascertain the sources of funding to protestors from outside Pakistan,” he said.

“An inquiry committee, formed by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif on the said issue, is working under Senator Raja Zaferul Haq. However, nothing has been finalised so far. The report is expected to be completed within one week,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, November 15^th 2017.