Shehbaz Sharif reveals lack of intelligence on TLP sit-in

In a recent development, former chief minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif, revealed to the Faizabad dharna commission that the provincial government had not been informed about any intelligence reports regarding the ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and was unaware of the party's sit-in plan. Sharif mentioned the formation of a cabinet sub-committee on peace, consisting of key provincial ministers, to address law and order issues in Punjab. He stated that the Faizabad sit-in caught them off guard, emphasizing that the district commissioner, commissioner Rawalpindi, CPO, and RPO had been directed to support the Islamabad administration by the sub-committee.

Sharif highlighted that the decision to ban an organization falls under the strict criteria outlined in the Anti-Terrorism Act, suggesting that the Ministry of Interior holds the authority for such actions. He cautioned against using force, fearing it could escalate into a nationwide law and order crisis, hence opting for political negotiations with TLP leaders. The agreement reached between TLP and the federal government included the withdrawal of cases against TLP members post-legal procedures.

Additionally, former federal law minister Zahid Hamid disclosed that he was pressured to resign by ISI's director general during the Faizabad sit-in. Junior ISI officers visited his residence to collect his resignation on November 26, 2017. These revelations emerged during the probe commission established by the Supreme Court following the 2017 Faizabad sit-in led by TLP's Khadim Hussain Rizvi.