New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan is witnessing a Civil War like situation as lakhs of protesters staged sit-ins against Imran Khan government and engaged in violent clashes with Pak forces across the Muslim-majority nation, with the tense situation escalating for third day in a row.
The protesters are mostly supporters from a radical Islamist Party- Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), demanding release of their leader Hafiz Rizvi, who is under arrest. However, the Pakistani government today decided to ban TLP under “Rule 11(b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997,” The Dawn reported while quoting tweet of Pak Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
“They were more prepared than us but today we’ve decided that a ban on TLP will be placed and this file is going to the cabinet for the approval from today,” Rashid was quoted as saying by the Pak news website.
As per reports, hundreds of policemen have been injured in the deadly clashes and seven persons are dead, including two cops.
What is worse is that terror group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has decided to support the protests, that can further escalate the tense situation in the country.
Several videos and pictures on social media with #CivilWarinPakistan have went viral in the last three days, showing protesters clashing with Pakistani Rangers and policemen as the situation went out of control.
TLP launched the massive protests on Monday after arrest of its chief Saad Rizvi. His arrest came ahead of the April 20 deadline set by the extremists, demanding expulsion of French ambassador from the Imran Khan government.
The TLP wants expulsion of French envoy for publication of the cartoon of prophet, which had stirred massive protests in the country.
Interestingly, the Imran Khan government had signed an agreement with TLP in November last year to expel the French ambassador. TLP had launched massive protests against cartoons in November last year but the agreement to expel the French envoy was extended to February this year, and further until April 20.
-ARK
