TLP’s growing prominence

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A serious issue that cannot be buried

After the landmark judgment acquitting Aasia Bibi of all charges TLP’s leaders Khadim Rizvi and Pir Afzal Qadri made some unprecedented statements inciting violence by calling for the murder of the judges, a rebellion within the army against the COAS and toppling the government. PM Imran Khan’s fiery speech that followed in which he warned the TLP protesters not to clash with the state turned out to be nothing more than hot air. A clueless team in his absence attempted to handle the situation by downplaying the countrywide vandalism and looting only to accept the protestors’ demands to convince them to retreat. There is still no word on whether the Supreme Court will entertain the review petition that has been filed against the decision or if Aasia Bibi’s name will be placed on the ECL. The army has already distanced itself from the matter through the DG ISPR. The ubiquitous establishment has in the past and continues to flex its muscles for far less than what the TLP leaders said. That leaves the PTI government that has not only excused Rizvi and Qadri but has placed the blame of the vandalism on opposition parties without a shred of proof and is rather seeking the TLP’s help to identify those responsible.

Last year after the Faizabad fiasco the army brokered deal was upheld when ATC cases against TLP leaders were quashed. But with the SC taking up the suo moto case against last year’s month long sit-in and the LHC hearing a high treason case against Rizvi it would be foolish to assume that this matter can simply be swept under the rug. An attempt to do so encourages more to join the zealots who are able to walk away scot-free after every incident of violent protests that the state does not address effectively. It is impossible to rein in this monster of extremism if the state is unwilling to take to task zealots like Rizvi and Qadri. Additionally, how does a government that is making efforts to revive a fledgling economy plan to attract foreign investment when a group of religious fanatics can paralyze the country at will and not face any consequences?