Aaj Logo

Updated 31 Oct, 2021 04:06pm

Negotiations between govt, banned TLP have been "successful", says Mufti Muneeb

ISLAMABAD: Government officials and Mufti Muneebur Rehman are addressing a press conference in Islamabad about negotiations with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

PTI government’s negotiating team including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Federal Minister Ali Muhammad Khan are present alongside Mufti Muneebur Rehman and representatives of banned TLP.

Mufti Muneebur Rehman while addressing the press conference said that the details of the agreement will be revealed at appropriate time.

Rehman said that talks with the banned TLP have been "successful".

"I want to urge the entire nation that this is not the victory of any individual, but it is the victory of Islam, patriotism, and protection of human lives," he said.

Rehman assured that the talks were held without any force, pressure, or duress. “They were held in a serious, responsible, and independent environment in which both the parties contributed equally.”

He added that the agreement, which also has support from banned TLP’s chief, will start yielding results from the next week.

Rehman told the media that under the agreement, a steering committee has been formed to be headed by State Minister Ali Muhammad Khan to oversee the implementation of the agreement “in letter and spirit.”

The negotiations committee comprised Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan from the government side while TLP was represented by Mufti Umair, Allama Ghulam Abbas and Hafiz Hafeez.

“This not an agreement which is prepared in the morning and then withdrawn later on,” Rehman pointed out.

Speaking on the occasion, the Foreign Minister thanked all the members who played their role in reaching out to this agreement.

The minister said peace will prevail in the result of this agreement. He said we believe in the power of negotiations and everyone should play the role for betterment of the country.

Meanwhile, authorities have closed both sides of bridge on Chenab River by placing containers and other barricades in order to stop long march of banned TLP.

Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) have also set up a red line at a distance of 500 meters from the Chenab River and all sorts of transport is not allowed on the bridge.

According to Dawn, a banner put up by the security forces read: “Beyond this line, the responsibility for law and order lies with Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), who have been given the authority to open fire at the miscreants so all people are strictly warned to return to their homes”.

Read Comments