Deadlock persists: Talks between government, protesters remain fruitless

ISLAMABAD: Another round of negotiations between the government and the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan ended inconclusively on Monday with the sit-in protest continued for the 15th consecutive day, private TV channels reported.
It was fifth round of talks at the Punjab House and the deadlock still persisting between the government and the protesters occupying Faizabad Interchange. The protest leaders continued to demand the resignation of Federal Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid.
The government’s team comprised Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and MNA Captain (R) Safdar.
However, the government again said that the deadlock would end within 24 hours.
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has called an emergency meeting of religious scholars belonging to all schools of thought over the ongoing protest today (Tuesday).
Addressing the media after a meeting of government and religious scholars on Monday evening, Ahsan Iqbal said that the general consensus is to resolve the sit-in as soon as possible and in a peaceful manner.
“We all agree that this issue should be resolved as soon as possible in a peaceful manner. Pakistan cannot be affected by any kind of bloodletting,” he said.
The meeting, after its conclusion also issued a joint statement, which stated that there is absolutely no room for error in the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat clause and a committee, formed with PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq in the chair, will identify those responsible for the mistake and the change in the oath.
Iqbal further said that the committee formed under Zafarul Haq will expedite the report and present it once completed
He added that Khatm-e-Nabuwwat is the basis of Islam and the wish of the government is to resolve the issue “in hours, not days”.
“For the sake of the Ummah, the religion, and the country, we have to peacefully resolve the sit-in.”
Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousaf said a committee will has been formed under Pir Hussainuddin for negotiations with the protesters and to suggest a comprehensive solution to the problem.
Earlier on Monday, the interior minister, after appearing before the Islamabad High Court, had appealed to the protesters once more to end their sit-in peacefully.
Iqbal had said once more that the government wants to avoid taking action for fear of bloodshed.
He had added that the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat laws are stronger than before.
“The impression that we compromised on Khatm-e-Nabuwwat is not correct. I am hopeful that we will resolve the issue in 24-48 hours,” he said further.
On Sunday, the interior minister had said that all options are available for dispersing the Islamabad protest, adding that a security operation is the last option as the government will try to avoid bloodshed.
The Islamabad High Court had given the government until 10am November 18 to remove the protesters ‘with force if need be’ but the government did not do so and instead opted for negotiations to find a peaceful way out.
The government had conducted another round of negotiations on Saturday night, but that too ended in stalemate with the protesters refusing to budge from their primary demand for the law minister’s resignation.