LAHORE – The detained leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri tendered an apology to the Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa for his earlier statements.
In a video message released on Tuesday, Qadri also apologized to government representatives and judiciary for his remarks made in the ‘rush of emotions’ in the aftermath of Supreme Court’s decision regarding the acquittal of Christian woman, Aasia Bibi.
The TLP leader read a statement on camera and claimed that he had already decided to bid farewell to the political party last year and had informed his associates, announcing that he is practically retiring from the party.
https://www.facebook.com/dailypakistan.en/videos/425498338012731/
Qadri expressed that TLP was founded as a patriotic, unarmed political party and its loyalists should display the best moral attitude, affirming that the party would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pak Army for the protection of Pakistan.
‘Tehreek-e-Labbaik has distanced itself from Bahawalpur incident as such inappropriate incident would not be supported,’ Qadri said in reference to the stabbing of a college teacher by a student of Sadiq Egerton College.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/sadiq-egerton-college-student-stabs-teacher-to-death-for-organizing-welcome-party/
Qadri recounted the earlier agreement made with the government and denial of permission for a protest last year.
He, however, assured that the party would present its viewpoint in line with Islamic injunctions and constitution of the country.
‘Vandalism would not be permitted [by the party],’ Afzal Qadri said in his message and added that terrorism, chaos, sectarian conflict and armed struggle would be discouraged.
The statement came months after Pir Afzal Qadri made scathing remarks against military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and judiciary for having acquitted blasphemy suspect Aasia Bibi.
The top leadership of TLP, including Khadim Hussain Rizvi, was taken into custody weeks after the statements were made during protests staged across the country in which public, as well as private property, was damaged.
The November protests ended after TLP reached an agreement with the government; the agreement was signed by Minister of Religious Affairs Dr Noor ul Haq Qadri and Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat.
As per the five-point agreement, a review petition was agreed to be filed with the government not opposing it.
Moreover, it was assured to place the name of Aasia Bibi on the Exit Control List (ECL) besides other points mutually agreed.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/govt-tlp-protesters-reach-agreement-to-end-countrywide-sit-ins/
According to latest remarks by the spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign office, Aasia Bibi was still in Pakistan.
