‘We will not bow down and let TLP play havoc’: Punjab IGP

Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali on Wednesday called the situation alarming, saying it was a matter of serious concern that the violent protesters of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were armed with weapons and opened straight fire on police, reports Dawn.

“We will not bow down and let the proscribed organisation play havoc,” said Sardar Rao.

“A banned organisation is dictating the government to devise the country’s foreign policy as per its (TLP) wishes forgetting that it was the sole domain of state authorities,” the IGP said.

“The TLP is a proscribed organisation and its armed men fired straight shots at police besides carrying out violent attacks,” he said.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday in a hard-hitting press conference on TLP’s ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

“TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.

“Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Wednesday that the Rangers were being called in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.