Banning Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan a “cosmetic step”, says exiled Pakistani journalist

Apr 16, 2021

Paris (France), April 16, 2021 (ANI): A Pakistani journalist living in exile has raised questions over Pakistan government’s decision to ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a hardline religious group with a massive following across Pakistan. Reacting after the civil unrest in Pakistan arrest the arrest of TLP Chief Saad Hussain Rizvi in Lahore on Monday, Taha Siddiqui said these are “cosmetic steps” by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government to minimize international pressure to act against hard-line Islamist groups. Interior Minister of Pakistan, Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday announced a ban on TLP, whose supporters and workers have been carrying out violent protests across the country since after the arrest of their chief. TLP has been demanding expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan. It is opposing publication of blasphemous caricatures in Charlie Hebdo magazine and remarks about Islam and terrorism by French President Emmanuel Macron. TLP said the Imran Khan Government has “turned back on its promise” to expel the French envoy.