Govt showing restraint towards sit-in protesters to avoid bloodshed: Ahsan
- By Web Desk -
- Nov 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said those demonstrating sit-in at Faizabad Interchange had political motives as they wanted to exploit the common men on the name of the Prophethood for the next general elections.
“We are trying to hold dialogue with the protesters at all levels. The government is also taking measures to ease the movement of the residents of the twin cities,” he said while talking to media in Islamabad.
Ahsan Iqbal said the protesters wanted to replicate the Lal Masjid and Model Town type incidents, but the government was showing restraint to resolve the issue amicably.
He said the act of the protesters was tantamount to harm the issue of finality of the Prophethood.
Read More: Islamabad sit-in continues for 18th day after govt fails to break deadlock
Hundreds of activists and supporters of Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah have camped out at the Faizabad Interchange for the 18th consecutive day as the government failed to break the stalemate.
The protesters have blocked the Faizabad Interchange, which connects Rawalpindi and Islamabad, multiplying hardships of the people of the twin cities.
The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the sit-in that has paralyzed life in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the last two weeks.
The federal minister said the government could avail the option of operation and clear the space just in three hours but it did not want bloodshed.
To a query, the interior minister said all the institutions of the state were on the same page regarding the issue.
He said that ‘The Finality of Prophethood Law’ had not only been restored to its original position rather it had been further strengthened.
“The law was finalized by members of all the political parties. It was not prepared by the law ministry and the law minister has not the authority to change it on his own,” he clarified.
Ahsan Iqbal said the demand of the protesters about the resignation of the law minister was unfair.
He said that the government would not surrender before those taking law into their hands. He said they were damaging the image of the country and supporting the enemies of Pakistan.