TLP chief in custody: Govt requests public to 'stay peaceful'

ISLAMABAD: After Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi was taken into protective custody, Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, on Friday night requested the public to stay peaceful.

In his tweet, the minister said: “Govt did it best to convince them but they refused every offer and started to provoke violence. Public is requested to stay peaceful n calm State is responsible to defend finality and respect of Holy Prophet PBUH. Law shall take its course and it cannot be left to individuals.”

Govt did it best to convince them but they refused every offer and started to provoke violence. Public is requested to stay peaceful n calm State is responsible to defend finality and respect of Holy Prophet PBUH. Law shall take its course and it cannot be left to individuals.

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 23, 2018

In another tweet earlier, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had announced that police had taken TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi into protective custody and shifted him into a state guest house.

Fawad Chaudhry said that TLP chief was taken into protective custody after he refused to withdraw protest call of November 25. He said that the detention had nothing to do with Asia Bibi case.

The minister urged the masses to cooperate with the government officials and remain peaceful. He said in his tweet that it is the government’s core responsibility to protect public property and lives.

Earlier this month, Khadim Hussain Rizvi had led protests over acquittal of Aasia Bibi in a blasphemy case. Police had booked Rizvi and other TLP leaders on charges of rioting and disrupting peace.

Around 5000 party supporters, including their leaders were also booked in a number of cases for disrupting peace and blocking roads in various cities and towns of the country.