Govt registers sedition, terrorism cases against key leaders of TLP: Fawad

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The government announced to register cases against the arrested key leaders of Tehreek-e-Labbaik on charges of sedition and terrorism for causing damages worth millions of rupees to public and private property and people in their protest. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Saturday afternoon, Minister for Information Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said case has been registered against Tehreek-e-Labbaik leader Khadim Rizvi on charges of sedition and terrorism at a police station in Lahore. He also said that similar charges have been levied against Pir Afzal Qadri, Hafiz Farooqul Hassan and others. The minister said all activists of the party involved in ransacking the properties, torching the vehicles and misbehaving with people, including women and children, will also be tried under terrorism charges. “Others, who were present as spectators but not involved in any disruptive activity, will be released after paying heavy fines and surety bonds that they will not be involved in such activities again,” he mentioned. The information minister said charges against them will be presented in courts and punishments awarded according to law. He said a large operation was launched by police based on intelligence. He said all main opposition parties were taken onboard before the launch of this operation. Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said during the operation, 2899 people were taken in protective custody in Punjab, 139 in Sindh and 126 in Islamabad. The Minister appreciated the cooperation extended by the opposition parties on this national issue. He said the leadership of Tehreek-e-Labbaik incited the people to disrupt the system. Fawad Ch said protest is a legal and constitutional right of all citizens but state will not allow its writ to be challenged. He warned that nobody will be allowed to take law and constitution into hands and strict action will be taken against violators.