Khadim Rizvi, other TLP leaders charged with treason, terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Key leaders of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), including Khadim Hussain Rizvi, have been booked under treason and terrorism charges over their controversial remarks and damage caused to property during protests in the wake of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Aasia Bibi case.

This was stated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary at a press conference in the capital.

He said the TLP leaders and party activists have been booked in terrorism and sedition cases for their incendiary remarks and causing damage to public and private properties and misbehaving with people, including women and children, during the countrywide sit-ins over acquittal of Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman in a blasphemy case.

The minister said those who were not involved in any disruptive activities, but were present at the protest site would be set free following payment of fines or surety bonds and an assurance that they won’t indulge in such activities in future.

The minister said a crackdown was launched on the TLP leaders and activists by the law enforcement agencies on the basis of intelligence information. He added that all main opposition parties were taken into confidence about the crackdown.

He said a total of 2,899 people were taken into protective custody from Punjab, 139 from Sindh and 126 from Islamabad during the crackdown.

Earlier, in an interview, the minister had said the government is committed to taking steps against extremism and finding a permanent solution to violent protests.

“We had two options: either to use force, and when you use force people can be killed. That is not something a state should do… We tried negotiations and (in) negotiations you take something and you leave something.”

“We need to take steps against extremism, we need to take steps against such kind of violent protesters and we need to come up with a permanent solution. Right now this is not a cure. This is firefighting, what we are doing. The cure is the real thing and our government is committed to the cure.”

The protests had erupted across the country after the Supreme Court acquitted Aasia Bibi of blasphemy charges on Oct 31. The demonstration ended after the government reached an agreement with demonstrators.