- Minister of State maintains govt exhausted all peaceful channels before moving against the group
- Says TLP’s past deals ‘unfavourable for the state,’ rejects claims sit-in was over Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday said the government had decided to take a firm stand against Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), vowing that future action against the group would mirror the state’s post–May 9 response to violent protests that followed the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Speaking on a private TV channel, the minister said that under the current administration of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the TLP had attempted to march on Islamabad twice, each time forcing the government into signing agreements that were “not favourable for the state.”
“This time, the state has taken a decisive stance. We have to move forward and learn from past mistakes. Those who bring extremism and violence into politics—whether it’s May 9, November 26 or the TLP dharnas—will not be tolerated. Action will be similar to what was taken after May 9,” he said.
Chaudhry maintained that the government had exhausted all peaceful channels before moving against the group. “They say no dialogue was held, but backdoor channels were open. One of Pakistan’s major political and religious leaders was involved in those talks, but they embarrassed him too. Even when they stayed for two days, they were given a chance to withdraw peacefully, and women and children who had been arrested were released,” he added.
Rejecting claims that the protests were over Gaza or Palestine, the minister said the group’s actual demands were “shocking,” alleging that TLP leaders had sought money, government positions for clerics, and the release of members convicted in criminal cases.
“They are emotionally exploiting religion to weaken the state at a time when Pakistan is fighting on both its eastern and western borders,” he said, noting that “even when Afghanistan attacked, they did not call off their sit-in.”
The state minister also confirmed that he had received over 1,700 threats online, adding that FIA, Cybercrime Wing and police were investigating and taking legal action. “Around 2,800 people have been barred from travelling,” he said, warning that fake news was again being spread in a manner similar to the November 26 events.
He further claimed that a number of TLP members deported from Saudi Arabia had been expelled for misconduct, saying, “They are ruining the name of both the country and religion abroad.”
His remarks came a day after law enforcement agencies launched a pre-dawn operation in Muridke to dismantle a TLP protest camp, triggering violent clashes, widespread chaos, and dozens of arrests.
The operation, which began around 3:30am on Monday, quickly escalated into one of the most serious confrontations between police and TLP in recent months, continuing for nearly six hours.
According to officials, nearly 1,500 police personnel in full anti-riot gear, supported by four armoured personnel carriers and water cannons, surrounded the camp along the GT Road. By morning, authorities said hundreds of demonstrators had been detained, though official figures were yet to be confirmed.
