By Asif Naveed
Web Desk; Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry announced on Tuesday that the government has decided to adopt a firm stance against Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), with measures similar to those taken after the May 9 incidents.
Speaking on Geo News program Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, Talal Chaudhry said that since the formation of the current government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, TLP has twice attempted to march on Islamabad. “In every march, agreements were signed with the group, and many of the terms were not in the state’s interest,” he noted.
He added that the state has now taken a decisive position. “We have to move forward and learn from the past. We will not be blackmailed anymore. Those who use extremism and violence in politics—whether it’s May 9, November 26, or the TLP sit-ins—will face the same action,” he asserted.
Chaudhry emphasized that the government had exhausted all peaceful options before moving against the group. “They claim no talks took place, but backchannel contacts were open. A senior political and religious figure was part of those efforts, but TLP embarrassed him as well. Even after two days, they were offered a peaceful withdrawal, and women and children in custody were released,” he explained.
Rejecting TLP’s claims that the protests were related to Gaza, he said the group’s real demands were “shocking”: they sought money, government posts for their clerics, and the release of members convicted in criminal cases. He accused TLP of emotionally manipulating religious sentiments and trying to destabilize the country when Pakistan faces challenges on both its eastern and western borders.
“They didn’t even suspend their sit-in when Afghanistan attacked,” he said.
Talal Chaudhry also revealed that he had received over 1,700 online threats, adding that cybercrime authorities, FIA, and police were taking legal action. “Around 2,800 people have been placed on the no-fly list. Fake news is again being spread, similar to what happened on November 26,” he warned.
He further claimed that a significant number of TLP members had been deported from Saudi Arabia due to misconduct, damaging Pakistan’s image abroad.
Meanwhile, security forces launched a pre-dawn operation on Monday to clear the group’s protest camp in Muridke. The crackdown began around 3:30am and led to violent clashes lasting nearly six hours. Roughly 1,500 police personnel equipped with anti-riot gear, supported by armoured vehicles and water cannons, surrounded the camp along GT Road. By morning, hundreds of protesters had been arrested, though officials did not release an exact number.
