PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called an important meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad today to review the situation created because of the protest “long march” of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, will be attended by the three service chiefs, heads of intelligence agencies and members of the federal cabinet. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that in view of the situation arising out of the “illegal activities” of the banned party, Prime Minister has convened the meeting of the NSC on Friday. He said that other issues related to national security will also be discused in the meeting.
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TLP announces ‘long march’on Islamabad again
Defying police, TLP protest rally reaches Gujranwala
Govt blocks road as banned TLP marches on Islamabad
The TLP has started the long march from Gujranwala to Islamabad today while the government has called the ranger force to take strict action against the protesters. Police have dug trenches on the road between Gujarat and Wazirabad to stop the protest rally from advance to Islamabad. A heavy contingent of police and Rangers weree present but the police allowed the TLP to enter Gujranwala without any resistance. According to local journalists, the TLP convoy currently has between 7,000 and 10,000 participants.
It has been eight days since the TLP convoy left Lahore on Friday and during this time the police took several steps to stop their advance but it was not successful. In Lahore, on the other hand, police conducted several intelligence based operations last night and arrested dozens of TLP activists. They were accused of helping the protesters through social media or other means of communication.
Yesterday, the minister for information said that the government will not conduct any talks with the protestors until they hand over the killers of the police personnel and clear roads. He alleged that the “terrorism” of TLP is not a political issue and the government is ready to strict action against the banned outfit. The government has already declared the TLP a “militant organisation” and accused it using Kalashnikov guns against the police due to which several policemen have been killed.