The TLP saga: What next?
https://arab.news/pjeyg
Near peace has returned on the roads of Pakistan.
But for the last few days, it was mayhem. On the evening of April 13, a creeping chaos had begun descending upon this country of 220 million. Few realised what had prompted it. Channels could only report on the traffic jams, and so that was the story on screens. Pretty soon, hundreds of thousands were stuck on motorways and city streets, COVID-19 patients and panic-stricken relatives searched for oxygen. There was a descent into complete pandemonium.
The government took preventive action against the April 20 nationwide protests and was in negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) as the party demanded the expulsion of the French ambassador.
Their leader, Saad Hussain Rizvi, had issued a video message to his workers to launch a nationwide street protest in case the government failed to expel the French envoy and the government decided to arrest the TLP leader.
Vile words from the French President in October 2020 had prompted the TLP’s demand and to diffuse the situation, the government was reportedly advised by security institutions to agree to the party’s demand... apparently not with the intention of implementing it.
The government’s April 15 notification is clear: “Whereas the federal government has reasonable grounds to believe that Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is engaged in terrorism in a manner prejudicial to the peace and security of the country… the government has declared TLP a proscribed organization under the Anti-Terrorist Act.”
TLP in the 2018 elections emerged as the fifth largest vote getter. With three provincial assembly seats, it polled more votes than the PPP in Punjab.
The notification carries a charge-sheet too. TLP has been charged for the killing of two policemen and injuring 580 personnel, attempted hostage taking and vehicle burning. Several policemen have filed cases against TLP for attacking police personnel, interference in government matters and for terrorism. Police teams are currently searching the bags of workers for addresses to arrest them.
What seemed to have been a manageable issue, though only after agreeing to TLP demands in 2017, in 2021 has required very firm measures.
In 2017, the TLP had staged a sit-in in Faizabad. The November 2017 attempt by the government to disperse protestors with the help of security forces did not succeed. Despite the initial pushback, 2,000 protesting men were able to dictate to the government the ouster of its law minister.
In an overwhelming Muslim country with peoples’ deep attachment with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), TLP cannot claim monopoly over guardianship of his respect and admiration.
Nasim Zehra
They had insisted that a minor change in an oath-taking document undermined the finality of the Prophet (PBUH). The government had disagreed and the then Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had called in IG police to end the sit-in using force. The PM also called in paramilitary forces in aid of the civilian administration. 2,000 men protesting and often engaging in violence could not be removed. More in fact trickled in. A botched-up operation with six dead-- and the security agencies advised a settlement. The law minister went home and an agreement was signed with the ISI chief as guarantor. TLP men dispersed with 1,000 rupees each.
Significantly, the government’s April 15 notification is only the beginning of the process of banning TLP.
After the cabinet decides to ban an organization and notifies the ban, under Section 212 of the Election Act 2017, within 15 days of the ban the government must refer the matter to the SC. The TLP will defend itself in court and if the court upholds the government declaration, the TLP will stand dissolved.
Under the Election Act, the government must within 15 days file a reference before the Supreme Court of Pakistan. TLP will defend itself in court. If the ban is upheld, the TLP loses its seats and cannot contest future elections.
On a parallel track under the Anti-Terrorist Act, a proscribed party can make a representation before the government. The government must take a decision within 90 days. TLP will still have the appeal options in the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, facing criticism from certain quarters for banning TLP, the government plans to pass a resolution in praise of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and strongly condemn any blasphemous utterance against the Prophet (PBUH).
In an overwhelming Muslim country with peoples’ deep attachment with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), TLP cannot claim monopoly over guardianship of his respect and admiration.
The TLP saga raises yet again, the critical question for Pakistan: how does a small virtually unknown unarmed group evolve into a near vigilante group; how does it accumulate the power to dictate policy to the government, how can it attempt to hold both state and society hostage?
– Nasim Zehra is an author, analyst and national security expert.
Twitter: @NasimZehra
