ISLAMABAD: Without mentioning presence of armed people among the participants of the sit-in, Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal Sunday said that some subversive elements wanted to take advantage of the situation, adding that operation will be the last solution to the problem. Addressing a press conference along with Minister of State for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasanat here at the Press Information Department, he said that the government was making efforts to end the Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (SAW) protest through negotiation as it was causing great inconvenience and hardship to the people, including patients, students and employees of the twin cities. He categorically said that firm belief in Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) as the last Messenger of Allah Almighty, was the fundamental part of Islamic faith, which was also an integral part of the Constitution. He said the matter had already been settled down once for all and it should not be politicised, keeping in view of its sensitivity as the error in the Electoral Reforms Bill 2017 had been undone. He said that creating doubts about the finality of Prophethood law, any propaganda on social media or religious hatred were not in Pakistan’s interest and it should be avoided keeping in-view the prevailing situation. He said that 30-member delegation of Ulema and Mashaikh last day were also taken on board to resolve the issue in a peaceful manner. He said, “Islam allows none to cause inconvenience for the general public and blocking the ways has no moral, religious and constitutional justification. “We request them to end the protest as they have got registered their protest. “Parliament has already made finality of Prophethood law foolproof and there is no ambiguity and shortcoming in it,” he added. The minister said that the government was also trying to maintain the law and order besides avoiding any conflict and any encounter for ensuring the safety as well as security of the life and property of people in the country. He said due to the sit-in, about 800,000 people were badly affected and they were facing several problems such as, it was difficult for the children to reach their schools and patients to reach hospital for treatment, which was against the teachings of Last Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He said business activities were also affected in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Moreover, it was portraying a bad impression of Pakistan on the globe. The sit-in would only benefit the enemies of Pakistan as a high-level delegation from China was due in Islamabad on Monday for 7th Pakistan-China Joint Cooperation Committee meeting, he said. He said that with the passage of time pressure on the government was also increasing as the Islamabad High Court had also issued orders to remove the sit-in to facilitate the general public. He said that despite court's clear order, the government had requested more time to resolve the issue through negotiation. He said that the administration was fully capable to take action but the government wanted to resolve the issue peacefully. Speaking on the occasion, Pir Aminul Hasanat called upon the protesters to end dharna in the larger interest of the country and people being faced hardships in twin cities. He also announced that he was ready to give resignation as a guarantor into the matter if required. Reports claimed that during marathon meetings between a ministerial-level government team and protest leaders on Saturday the government had offered the leaders that all cases registered against them would be withdrawn and a committee would be appointed to look into claims that Law Minister Zahid Hamid was behind the now withdrawn controversial change into the Khatm-e-Nubuwwat declaration for electoral candidates. However, Iqbal had rejected the protesters demand for the law minister’s resignation, saying that Hamid could not be asked to resign without solid evidence against him. Meanwhile, activists of religious groups continued to stage sit-in at Faizabad on 14th day as a deadlock in the negotiations with the government continues to persist. Heavy contingent of Rangers, Frontier Corps and police are deployed in the area whereas armored vehicles, prison vans and ambulances are also present. Administration of the twin cities has delayed decision to use force against the protesters after fourth round of talks ended at residence of Raja Zafarul Haq Saturday night. Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar among others represented the delegation of the government while a cleric from Golara Sharif Ghulamuddin Jami mediated the talks.
