TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi taken into protective custody: info minister

LAHORE: The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi was taken into protective custody by the police Friday night, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.

The minister said that the action was taken as Rizvi refused to withdraw his call for protest in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh on November 25. 

The TLP leader has been shifted to a guest house by the law enforcement authorities.  

"They insisted to come to Rawalpindi refusing governments proposal for alternative arrangements. It’s to safeguard public life, property and order and has to do nothing with Asia Bibi case," Chaudhry said. 

The information minister said that the law and order situation is fully under control, and requested the citizens to remain peaceful and cooperate with the authorities. 

"The TLP has become a threat to the life and properties of the people of Pakistan and continues to do its politics under the cover of religion," he said. 

The minister said the government "did it[s] best" to convince the party against convening for the protest, "but they refused every offer and started to provoke violence".

"Public is requested to stay peaceful and calm. The state is responsible to defend finality and respect of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Law shall take its course and it cannot be left to individuals," the minister reiterated. 

“Khadim H. Rizvi has been taken into protective custody to prevent any lawlessness tomorrow, under section 14 and 16 of the MPO,” Fayaz-ul-Hasan Chohan, Punjab’s Information Minister, told Geo.tv. “Other leaders have also been arrested and the process will continue today.” 

Section 14 of Punjab’s Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960, deals with abetment of offences, while section 16 is regarding the dissemination of rumours that can cause fear or alarm in the public. 

Earlier this month, the TLP led days-long protests by religious parties that left roads blocked and paralysed routine life in major cities of the country.

The protests—which erupted after the Supreme Court ordered the release of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row since 2010, acquitting her of blasphemy charges—ended after an agreement with the government.

The group had also paralysed the federal capital for weeks when it staged a sit-in at the Faizabad interchange in November last year.

The TLP workers staged brief protests in different cities of the country on the party leader's detention.