They criticized the party leadership for ‘exploiting the Palestinian cause’ to create unrest at home
TLP leaders in Multan hold press conference. Photo: Express
MULTAN:
A number of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) ticket holders from southern Punjab announced on Friday that they were parting ways with the banned group, saying their latest protest call was unjustified and harmful to the interests of the country.
During a press conference in Multan, the former TLP ticket holders said their decision to part ways was taken without any external pressure. They criticized the party leadership for “exploiting the Palestinian cause” to create unrest at home.
“The TLP had no reason to protest in the name of Palestine,” said one of the leaders. “Even the Palestinians were happy with the agreement, yet the party called for protests here. It was an inappropriate move at a time when the country was facing external and internal challenges.”
The dissidents said the TLP’s long march was causing harm to the country rather than serving any national or religious purpose. “We are leaving the TLP and will not be part of any movement that destabilizes Pakistan.”
“This land was created in the name of Kalma. It will exist till the end of time. No hostile power can cast an evil eye on it,” he said.
Muhammad Hussain Babar said the group separated from the TLP without any compulsion. Rao Arif Sajjad added that Pakistan cannot afford chaos and internal discord.
One leader said the party “systematically benefits the country’s enemies”, which was why “we have decided to disassociate ourselves from the TLP”.
He further noted that militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had also expressed their support for the TLP in a recently released video message.
Last week, the Home Office formally banned the TLP, saying the federal government had “reasonable grounds” to believe the religio-political group was involved in acts of terrorism.
The decision came a day after the federal cabinet, on the proposal of the Punjab government, approved the ban under the Anti-Terrorism Act. It followed days of violent demonstrations across Gaza that left scores of protesters and police officers dead while paralyzing major highways and city centers from Karachi to Islamabad.
