ISLAMABAD, OCT 29: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Friday that negotiations were underway between the government and Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) detained chief Saad Hussain Rizvi on ending the proscribed group’s march to Islamabad.
Briefing the media after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) convened by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Ahmed said the government wanted to “amicably” resolve the matter of the protest march, which has disrupted life in several Punjab cities for two weeks.
The minister announced that Prime Minister Imran would address the nation on Saturday about the current security situation, saying “he will present the entire situation before the nation and his speech will explain the narrative of the government.”
He said four policemen had been martyred in clashes with TLP workers, while more than 80 had been injured, eight of them critically.
“We stand by our position and we are waiting for them (TLP) to abide by their commitment to open the GT Road.”
Rashid said it was also expected that Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri would talk to the TLP leadership again.
Prime Minister Imran had convened the NSC meeting on Thursday to devise a strategy for tackling the TLP’s march that is heading towards Islamabad.
“In view of the situation arising out of the illegal activities of the banned party, Prime Minister Imran Khan has convened a meeting of the National Security Committee tomorrow. Other issues related to national security will also be considered in this meeting,” Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had announced.
The meeting was attended by key members of the federal cabinet, the services chiefs and the intelligence agencies’ heads.
