Tehreek-e-Labbaik activists observe Eid Milad-un-Nabi at Lahore protest camp

LAHORE: Protesters belonging to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) are observing Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations at the site of protest encampment on Mall Road here in front of Punjab Assembly.

The protesters have been demanding Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s resignation after a dramatic turn of events.

Dr Ashraf Asif Jalali, self-proclaimed head of TLYRA, has been leading protest in the provincial capital city for a week now. He refused to have links with the protesters blocked Faizabad Interchange for three weeks, besides denying reaching an agreement with the government.

Earlier, the protesters camped out at Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad for three weeks to press the federal government for probe against officials involved in making ‘now-withdrawn’ amendments to a clause pertaining to the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (finality of the Prophethood) oath for electoral candidates and the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid.

The protesters dispersed after the government gave in to their demands and Zahid Hamid stepped down as Law Minister.

However, Jalali while speaking exclusively claimed that Khadim Hussain Rizvi was never the head of TLYRA. “I do not recognize the agreement between government and Khadim Hussain Rizvi as Rizvi does not head TLYRA.”

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.