Islamabad (November 24, 2018): Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced late on Friday night that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi has been taken into “protective custody” by police from Lahore.
In a tweet, Fawad said that Khadim Hussain Rizvi has been taken into protective custody by police and shifted to a guest house.
He explained that the action was prompted by TLP’s refusal to withdraw its call for protest on November 25.
Khadim Hussain Rizvi has been taken into protective custody by police and shifted to a guest house.They insisted to come to Rwp refusing Governments proposal for alternative arrangements
It’s to safeguard public life, property and order and has to do nothing with Asia Bibi case— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 23, 2018
Fawad claimed that the arrest has to do nothing with Asia Bibi case.
The Infor Minister asserted that they [TLP] refused to all offers and started provocation of violence. He added that the State is responsible to defend finality and respect of Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Govt did it best to convince them but they refused every offer and started to provoke violence. Public is requested to stay peaceful n calm State is responsible to defend finality and respect of Holy Prophet PBUH. Law shall take its course and it cannot be left to individuals.
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 23, 2018
It is significant to mention that Khadim Rizvi had given a call to observe Martyrs’ day on November 25, and had asked the party workers and supporters to gather at Faizabad on the day.
The reports of his arrest come weeks after the TLP led three-day protests across the country against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman whose blasphemy conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court at the end of last month.
Dozens of workers of the party have reportedly been arrested, while police personnel have also been deployed at the Faizabad interchange in Islamabad, where the organisation had earlier staged a weeks-long protest.
TLP central leader Dr Asif Ali Bilali, TLP Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa amir Syed Zafar Iqbal Shah Binori, Mufti Zahoor Ahmed Jalali, Allama Akram Jalali and Maulana Nisar Ahmed Jalali are some of the party leaders who were taken into custody by the law enforcement agencies from different parts of the country.
TLP’s Rawalpindi Nazim Qari Shafiq Qadri, Hafiz Muhammad Hussain, Hafiz Tahir Hussain and TLP organisers Malik Taj, Ali Hassan, Qari Waqar and Rizwan Farooqui were arrested from the garrison city. Several others including Tahir Shah from Dhok Hassu, Qari Shafiqur Rehman, Adeel Abbasi from Chakri Road were also taken into custody.
A family member of Rizvi confirmed that the TLP chief has been taken into custody.
“He was arrested from his hujra in Lahore,” a family member of Rizvi told media.
Rizvi’s son, Saad said along with his father, all district leaders of TLP have been arrested.
When contacted, Punjab information and law ministers said they did not know about any such action being taken against Rizvi.
Security has been beefed up across the country to thwart any untoward incident from happening. Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to protect all sensitive installations in all major cities.
The party had staged violent countrywide protests against the acquittal of Aasi Bibi last month.
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