Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Monday said that the government does not want confrontation with anyone.
In a press conference, minister Rashid addressed the government’s negotiations with the outlawed organisation, whose supporters have been holding protests in several cities across the country.
Rashid said, “Our negotiations with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) went very well. I am heading the negotiating team on Saad Rizvi’s insistence.”
He said that the government has reached an “understanding” with the TLP, adding that he had found the party’s leader Saad Rizvi “more cooperative” compared to others.
The minister said, “We will guard the commitment that we made to the TLP. We are holding talks with the TLP on the Fourth Schedule, cases [against the party’s leadership] and the ban [on the party].”
The interior minister clarified that the government was not interested in a confrontation with any organisation, adding that “no one should damage public property as well.”
Rashid said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will return from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan on Tuesday. He said that all matters relating to negotiations with the TLP will be discussed with the premier in the meeting.
Rashid said that he had requested that the Punjab government should hold negotiations with the TLP.
Rashid praises Green Shirts
The minister also lavished praises on the Pakistan cricket team and skipper Babar Azam, saying that Men in Green had defeated India convincingly in the World Cup encounter.
Rashid said that for him, Sunday night’s game was the final of the T20 World Cup, adding that he “does not care what happens in the match against New Zealand” and other subsequent matches involving Pakistan.
