The negotiations between the government and the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have been successful, insiders said on Sunday.
The government’s delegation comprised Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Federal Minister Ali Muhammad Khan, while TLP chief Saad Rizvi led his side during the negotiation.
Qureshi, Qaiser and other leaders will announce details at a press conference.
It is learnt that under the accord the TLP activists will first end their sit-in from the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road). And the government will complete legal formalities to release the arrested workers.
The development comes after Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting with ulema on Saturday as he sought their help in defusing the tensions.
He said his government will not oppose the release of TLP chief Saad Rizvi if courts make a decision, but he would not issue an executive order in this regard. The prime minister said that the concession was linked to TLP activists ending their long march. He allowed the ulema to meet Saad Rizvi.
TLP SAYS TOO EARLY TO CLAIM TALKS SUCCESS: Meanwhile, rejecting the media reports on the talks with the government, spokesperson for the banned TLP said that it would be “too early to say anything about the negotiation”.
He urged people to “refrain from spreading rumours” and clarified that negotiations with the government were still underway.
“There is no truth in the reports being aired on TV channels about the successful dialogue,” he added.
The TLP spokesperson said that the success or failure of the talks with the government will be announced by his party leadership.
PROTESTS: Meanwhile, thousands of TLP supporters have been reached near Wazirabad.
The marchers entered Gujranwala on Friday where the Rangers drew a red line warning them against crossing it. It was 500 meters from the Chenab toll plaza. A banner was put up by the security forces that read: “Beyond this line, the responsibility for law and order lies with Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), who have been given the authority to open fire at the miscreants so all people are strictly warned to return to their homes”.
Mobile phone and internet services in Gujranwala have been suspended.
