Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, the former TLP candidates strongly denounced the group’s violent demonstrations, saying such actions were unjustified and harmful to the country.

They said that Pakistan must come first, adding that politics held no value if the state itself was at risk.

“It was completely unjustified to hold a rally amid an extraordinary situation,” one of the ticket holders remarked.

Former TLP candidate Nauman Khan, while announcing his separation, said the party’s violent conduct was “utterly unacceptable.”

“We cannot support attacks on the state,” he said. “When the state is in danger, politics becomes meaningless. Armed groups even hijacked school vans and damaged both public and private property.”

The dissident members reiterated their loyalty to Pakistan, declaring that they stood with the state and firmly condemned the violent protests.