'Door not yet shut on talks with TLP,' Sheikh Rasheed says after National Security Committee huddle

• PM Imran Khan chairs NSC meeting as the proscribed TLP advances towards capital.
• National leadership reviews internal security situation amid protests by proscribed outfit.
• Security has been tightened in several Punjab cities, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said Friday that the door to negotiations with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has not been shut yet, but the state’s writ will be ensured at all cost.

He was speaking to the media after attending a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), which met Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair to review the law and order situation in the country, with a specific focus on the protests by the banned organisation.

The interior minister said he wishes to settle the issue amicably.

Rasheed said it is the government’s responsibility to secure people’s lives and property. 

“[Federal Minister for Religious Affairs] Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and I will hold talks with the proscribed TLP," he said. 

The NSC meeting, which continued for two hours, was attended by the top civil and military leadership, including all services and intelligence chiefs.

Federal ministers Pervez Khattak, Sheikh Rasheed, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Fawad Chauhdry were also present.

Later addressing a press conference, the interior minister asked protesters to clear the roads, warning them that if issues are not resolved amicably then the matter may no longer be in his control. 

Replying to a question about the proscribed TLP's demands, Sheikh Rasheed said a resolution had been presented before the National Assembly.

To another question about the French ambassador, he said the ambassador had gone back a while ago, adding that the whole world knows about it.

He said the government will take all possible steps to ensure peace and tranquility prevails in the country.

Rasheed said Rangers are responsible for protecting the lives and properties of citizens.

He said the government will stop the march towards Islamabad at all costs.

"We are holding talks with Saad Rizvi wherever he is and another round of talks will be held today," he said, adding that the TLP should stop the march first and wait for the results [of negotiations].

Rasheed added that the proscribed TLP's social media accounts are being operated from outside the country and the Federal Investigation Agency is taking action against those which are being handled from here.

He said every citizen's lives are important, adding that four policemen have been injured while 80 were shot at. 

While responding to another question, the interior minister said he had signed the agreement with the proscribed organisation after approval from the prime minister.

'No talks until roads are clear'

It is pertinent to mention that information minister Fawad Chaudhry had earlier ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the proscribed TLP until it cleared all roads and handed over the culprits responsible for killing several policemen in recent clashes.

The minister had also urged "patriots" to distance themselves from the ongoing protests and return home instead of becoming part of a campaign which he described as tantamount to terrorism against the state.

Protest continues

Protests by members of the proscribed group entered their eighth day today (Friday), with protesters camping out in Kamoke for the last couple of days.

Initially, the proscribed group had staged sit-ins in Multan and Lahore, after which a march towards Islamabad was announced.

Security forces have cordoned off major roads to prevent protesters from reaching Islamabad, even digging trenches in some places to halt the advancing mob. 

The protesters have resorted to staging sit-ins on GT Road for the past several days, disrupting transport services.

TLP's march has affected life in the federal capital and various other cities in Punjab.

Strict security arrangements have been made in Rawalpindi. The main highways connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been sealed and the Faizabad Metro service has been suspended. Major traffic jams have been reported on alternative routes and citizens are facing difficulties as it has also become difficult to go to hospitals.