LAHORE: The government’s decision of registering cases against Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi under charges of treason and terrorism has received mixed reactions from the general public; whereas those supporting the decision have hoped a “U-turn” will not be taken this time.
“No one who halts the country, incites hatred and issues Islamic decrees to kill others should be spared. It is against the law,” Salman Abid, a political expert, said while speaking to Pakistan Today.
“Rizvi’s detention is a reminder for all those who dare to play with people’s religious sentiments,” he said.
It was high time such an action was taken as Labbaik had repeatedly made derogatory remarks against state institutions, he added.
“TLP had been holding protests for the past one year now and most of their demonstrations had turned violent, paralysing routine life and affecting everyone’s peace of mind,” a citizen of Lahore, Syed Ahmed Raza said.
“He [Rizvi] continued to incite the masses for god knows what reason! How can such a man be spared? I just hope the government doesn’t flip-flop from its decision this time,” he added.
Another, Tahir Habib, said the TLP chief was arrested after turning down the state’s demand to withdraw his call of a large gathering in the federal capital.
“I remember that Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that the government did its best to convince Labbaik, but its leadership refused to accept the demands. Anyone who tries to disrupt peace should be dealt with an iron hand.”
A resident of Lahore, Jarral Najam, said that such people should not be released and must be prosecuted for their actions.
A supporter of the TLP, Sami Ullah Khan, on the other hand, said, “Khadim Rizvi is fighting for a cause but the government is working on a foreign agenda.”
“They arrested him and other party leaders only to oblige the west and cater to the interests of different forces. We will not submit ourselves to such actions against our leader and we completely reject this act,” he added.