The government negotiating team said on Sunday it had reached an agreement with outlaw Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) but did not disclose any other details, with Mufti Muneebur Rehman saying the details will be revealed to an “appropriate time”. .

The deal comes after nearly two weeks of clashes that have left at least seven police dead and many injured on both sides.

The outlawed group began the march, calling for the release of its incarcerated leader, Saad Rizvi, and the expulsion of the French ambassador for the publication of cartoons depicting the Holy Prophet (PSL) in a French satirical magazine.

The situation in Wazirabad, where TLP protesters have camped, remains unchanged for the time being, with road blockages and cellular services continuing. Protesters started packing their belongings, but were told not to move until they received the green light from TLP leadership in Islamabad, according to our correspondent in Gujranwala.

Sajid Saifi, a TLP spokesperson, said Reuters that the partisans were ready to pack up but were awaiting instructions from the party leadership. He said he hoped TLP leader Saad Rizvi and all the activists arrested in recent days would be released soon.

Sunday’s announcement was made at a press conference in Islamabad with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser, MP Ali Mohammad Khan, Mufti Muneeb as well as TLP members Mufti Ghulam Abbas Faizi and Mufti Mohammad Ameer.

“The government of Pakistan and the TLP had a thorough discussion in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and an agreement was reached between the two parties,” Mufti Muneeb said. “The deal was made after meaning prevailed over aggression, rationality prevailed over feelings, and all participants showed patience.

“I want to urge the whole nation that this is not the victory of any individual, but it is the victory of Islam, of patriotism and of protecting human lives.

“I want to tell the nation that these dialogues were never held under any duress. They took place in a serious, responsible and independent environment, [in which] everyone has made their contribution. Everyone deserves to be thanked for this. “

The mufti did not give specific details of the deal, simply stating that they will be shared at an “appropriate time.”

The mufti said that the “positive impact” of the agreement will be visible over the coming week, adding: “The participants in the agreement have reached the agreement in the best interests of the country and its people. This deal was made before any untoward incident. This is news for the whole nation, and the national media should present it in a positive way. “

The mufti thanked all parties involved for their help in reaching the deal.

“I am grateful to the Prime Minister for empowering and trusting the committee and to the committee for working with dedication to resolve this issue,” he said. “Likewise, the TLP has demonstrated the same behavior.”

“The agreement was also supported by TLP leader Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi,” he added.

He said a committee had been formed to monitor the matter. “Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan will be at its head, while Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat will be a member of the committee,” the mufti said, adding that Mufti Ghulam Ghous Baghdadi and Engr. Hafeezullah Alavi will represent TLP on the committee.

We saw chaos and chose the path of peace: FM Qureshi

Meanwhile, FM Qureshi thanked the ulama for “saving the country from a hardship” and explained why the government chose to negotiate rather than use force.

“On Friday, when I returned from Tehran, the meeting of the NSC was called,” he recalls. “The meeting, after extensive deliberation, decided that discussions will be privileged and that the focus will be on resolving this issue sensitively.

“We have seen the loss of human life, property, chaos in hospitals, difficult movement of people, fear of economic loss, and we have chosen the path of peace.”

“In light of the Prime Minister’s orders and considering the interest of the nation, we realize that the powers that want to harm Pakistan could have benefited,” Qureshi said, adding that there would be no question-and-answer session with media staff.

Rescheduling the press conference

According to a document from the Department of Press Information (PID), Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser and MP Ali Mohammad Khan were initially scheduled to address the press conference alongside mufti Muneeb at 11:15 a.m.

However, the press conference was delayed as the foreign minister told PID reporters it would be held “shortly”. PID later announced that the press conference would be held at 3:15 p.m. before revising the schedule again at 2:45 p.m.

A day earlier, a new negotiating team – led by Qureshi and including Qaiser and Khan – met with TLP leaders while Prime Minister Imran Khan met with senior religious officials at his Banigala residence.

Talk to Dawn, a senior TLP leader said negotiations were the only way forward and everyone wanted a way out of the current situation, however, the behavior of some cabinet members was irresponsible.

“Why did they call us an Indian agent; the whole nation wants to know who is getting money from the enemies, “the TLP official said, speaking underground, adding that” we have asked the government to change the negotiating team which does not insult us afterwards. the meeting “.

At the same time, the TLP acknowledged the meeting in a press release, claiming that a meeting with the government team was held in Rawalpindi. In its second statement released late at night, the TLP agreed to abide by all assurances it had given to the government, including stopping the march in Wazirabad.

The government had resumed talks with the TLP, although this time the negotiating team consisted mainly of senior clerics from the Barelvi school of thought.

Despite all the measures taken against the protest march of the banned formation, the government decided to resume talks and brought senior leaders of the organization, already in detention, to the federal capital in the early hours of Saturday morning.

According to TLP sources, Mufti Muneeb also met the incarcerated leader of the Saad Rizvi group in Islamabad.

As a result of these renewed efforts, cabinet members also softened their tone, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Religious Harmony and the Middle -Orient Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi refrained from making statements against the prohibited attire.

Official sources said Saad Rizvi and three senior members of the TLP’s “Shura” – Maulana Shafiq Amini, Engineer Hafezullah and Pir Inayatul Haq – were brought to Islamabad from Lahore for direct negotiations.

TLP continues sit-in in Wazirabad for day three

Meanwhile, TLP workers continued their sit-in in Wazirabad for a third straight day on Sunday. The protesters camped at Allah Wala Chowk.

Internet and rail services remain suspended in Gujranwala due to the protest, while a large contingent of police has been deployed to Chenab Toll Plaza.

About 500 meters from the Chenab tollgate, the Punjab Rangers marked a “red line” and placed a notice nearby warning protesters not to cross the line or face the consequences.

The TLP protest

The TLP launched the last round of protests in Lahore on 12 Rabiul Awwal, mainly to pressure the government of Punjab for the release of its leader, Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi, the son of its late founder Khadim Rizvi. The young Rizvi has been held in detention by the Punjab government since April 12 for “maintaining public order”.

However, TLP leader Pir Ajmal Qadri later declared that the aim of the decision was “respect for the Holy Prophet (PBUH)”, while also demanding the release of Rizvi.

He had also announced to march on Islamabad, inciting the government to block the roads leading to the capital.