Jalali-led TLYR faction calls off Lahore sit-in after ‘deal’ with Punjab govt

–Asif Jalali announces resignation from Tehreek-e-Labaik

LAHORE: The Maulana Asif Jalali-led faction of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR), which had been holding a sit-in outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore for the past week, concluded their protest around midnight on Friday, Dec 1, after the Punjab government convinced them to withdraw their main demand — the resignation of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah from his post.

The Lahore sit-in had been launched by the Jalali-led faction of the political party following the botched police operation against the participants of the Faizabad sit-in on Nov 25.

Jalali’s faction alleged that the government had “dumped” the bodies of the party’s supporters “killed” in the Islamabad operation; demanded blood money for those affected; demanded Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s resignation; and demanded that the report compiled by the Raja Zafarul Haq-led commission to investigate the Elections Act 2017 controversy be made public.

The agreement signed between Jalali’s TLYR and Punjab government:

The sit-in was concluded after a final round of negotiations between the Punjab government representatives and protesters remained successful. Both the sides agreed to publish the report compiled by the Raja Zafarul Haq committee by Dec 20.

The two sides also agreed that the federal government will act upon the points mutually agreed upon between the faction and the government in Islamabad a month ago.

As per the agreement, a committee would be constituted to decide on the number of loudspeakers in each mosque in the province. The government agreed that the legislation will be made in line with the recommendations of the committee by Jan 16, 2018.

The two sides also agreed that the Muttahida Ulema Board, Punjab will review the educational curriculum of the province in connection with the religious views propagated through it.

Following the talks, Jalali announced he was concluding the sit-in and that he was providing the government with a “free hand” for one month.

Speaking on Sanaullah’s resignation, he said that the “court of Pir Hameeduddin Sialvi” will decide the matter. He, however, said that they are not retracting the demand for action against the minister.  He said that the government’s failure to honour the agreement will result in their taking to the streets again. He advised his followers to stay ready and on alert regarding this matter.

JALALI RESIGNS:

Talking about his differences with Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the head of the other faction of TYLR, Jalali announced that a “Sunni Ulema Board” has been constituted on Friday and that he is going to submit his written resignation to the board. He further said that Rizvi will also be appearing before the board to express his viewpoint.

It was not clear what prompted the decision, but Jalali said that he would “be happy if the sacrifice of his designation brings unity among the ranks of the Barelvi school of thought.”

Earlier, daily life in Islamabad was paralysed for at least three weeks due to the protest of an alliance of religious parties, including the Tehreek-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwwat, Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) and Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST), calling for the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid and stern action against those behind the amendment to the Khatam-e-Nabuwwat clause ─ which had earlier been deemed a “clerical error” and subsequently rectified.

The agitators believed that during the passage of Elections Act 2017, the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath was deliberately modified as part of a larger conspiracy, and refused to end the protest until their demands were met. Their chief demand was the resignation of Zahid Hamid.

The government finally caved into the demands of the protesting clerics on Nov 27 as law minister Zahid Hamid resigned. The agreement signed between protesters and government credited the army chief and his representative team for their “special efforts”.

Khadim Hussain Rizvi directed his followers across the country to pack up and leave; however, the protesters in Lahore did not pay heed to his directives as they remained pitched in hoping Rana Sanaullah, Punjab law minister, would resign under pressure.