TLYRA protest enters sixth day with call for Rana Sanaullah resignation

LAHORE: In a dramatic turn of events protesters belonging to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) calling for Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s resignation after camping out in front of the provincial assembly on Mall road here for sixth day. 

Denying reaching an agreement with the government, self-proclaimed head of TLYRA Dr Ashraf Asif Jalali refused to have links with the protesters blocked Faizabad Interchange for three weeks.

“I do not recognize the agreement between government and Khadim Hussain Rizvi as Rizvi does not head TLYRA,” he said while speaking exclusively to ARY News.

Calling for Rana Sanaullah’s resignation, Jalali, whose party is staging a sit-in outside Punjab Assembly, said that his party would continue the protest until their demand is met.

“He (Rizvi) is heading a different organisation and is on a different path since about a year. I, as chairman (TLYRA), sent him a show cause notice, he did not reply and registered his party in Election Commission as Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP),” said Jalali.

He said he supported Khadim Hussain Rizvi in his cause but does not recognize the agreement between the cleric and the government as he (Jalali) was not taken into confidence.

Expressing concerns over the recent agreement, he warned extending their protest to other provinces over the government’s apathy to make a response to their demand.

However, the provincial law minister has refused to tender his resignation while asserting that their prime demand has already been met.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the release of leaders and workers of the TLYRA who were taken into custody a few days ago.