They criticized the party leadership for “exploiting the Palestinian cause” to fuel domestic unrest.
TLP leaders in Multan address the press conference. Photo: Express
MULTAN:
A number of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) ticket holders from south Punjab announced on Friday that they were parting ways with the banned outfit, saying its latest call for protests was unwarranted and detrimental to the country’s interests.
Addressing a press conference in Multan, the former TLP ticket holders said their decision to part ways was taken without any external pressure. They criticized the party leadership for “exploiting the Palestinian cause” to fuel domestic unrest.
“The TLP had no reason to protest in the name of Palestine,” said one of its leaders. “Even the Palestinians were happy with the deal, but the party called for protests here. It was an inappropriate decision at a time when the country was facing external and internal challenges.”
Dissidents said the TLP’s long march had caused damage to the country rather than serving any national or religious purpose. “We are leaving the TLP and will not be part of any movement that could destabilize Pakistan.”
“This country was created in the name of Kalma. It will exist until the end of time. No hostile power can cast an evil eye on it,” he said.
Muhammad Hussain Babar said the group was separating from the TLP without any coercion. Rao Arif Sajjad added that Pakistan cannot afford chaos and internal discord.
One leader said the party “systematically benefits the enemies of the country,” which is why “we decided to part ways with the TLP.”
He further noted that activists of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had also expressed support for the TLP in a recently released video message.
Last week, the Interior Ministry formally banned the TLP, saying the federal government had “reasonable grounds” to believe the religious-political group was involved in acts of terrorism.
The decision came a day after the federal cabinet, acting on a proposal from the Punjab government, approved the ban under the Anti-Terrorism Act. It followed days of violent protests in Gaza that left several demonstrators and police dead while paralyzing major highways and urban centers from Karachi to Islamabad.
