TLP and the tenure of recently ousted government of Pakistan

In the early morning of April 10th (Sunday), Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan lost the confidence of the National Assembly (NA) of Pakistan and his government was ousted consequently. The (now ousted) government was formed in the result of General Election (GE) of 2018 in Pakistan where TLP bagged fifth largest vote-bank for the candidates of National Assembly (NA) and the third largest vote-bank for the Provincial Assembly (PA) of Punjab. No political party could get enough seats in GE2018 to form the government without collation. However, Pakistan thereek insaf (PTI) managed to "get confidence of" some small political parties and the independent candidates to form the government in federal, Punjab and KPK provinces. This party came into power for the first time with a very secular (anti-Islam) manifesto and promoted many anti-Islamic activities and motions throughout its ~4 years tenure. Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) stood against a lot of its anti-Islamic activities sacrificing a lot of lives in vicious actions of the PTI led government. Here in the retrospect, we are outlining the anti-Islamic activities of the ousted government, TLP's movements against those actions and its sacrifices.

June, 2018: An anti-Islam opposition leader of Netherlands (cursed geert wilders) announced the blasphemous caricatures contest for November, 2018.

August 14, 2018: Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi (RA), then Ameer TLP, demanded the government to at least sever diplomatic ties with Netherlands. But PTI led Government of Pakistan (GOP) didn't pay heed to it.

August 25, 2018: TLP announced a long-march (on August 29th) towards federal capital Islamabad amid no counter actions by the GOP against Netherlands.

August 29, 2018: TLP's long march set off for Islamabad from Lahore. Hundreds of thousands people joined the march and the procession was warmly welcomed by locals of nearby cities/areas on route to Islamabad.

During all these activities, GOP's narrative was about resolving the issue through (diplomatic) talks, while Netherlands government maintained that the contest announcement was by an opposition leader and Dutch government had nothing to do with that. Geert wilders tweeted several times against TLP and Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi for standing against the announced blasphemous contest.

August 30, 2018: TLP's long march was near the Islamabad when geert wilders announced to cancel the blasphemous caricatures contest deeming that as 'threat to others lives too'. Remember that, a notification of closure of Dutch embassy in Pakistan kept circulating on the social media.

PTI led government formed the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) of 18 members where a 'qadiyani' (atif mian) was appointed as one of the lead members.

Remember that 'qaidyanis' call themselves as Muslims while not accepting one of the basic conditions of Islam that is to believe in the Khatam-e-Nabuwat. Furthermore, they do not accept the article of constitution of Pakistan which declares them as non-Muslims.

TLP verbally protested against this appointment but Imran Khan's government vowed 'not to bow'.

Read more: 'We will not bow to extremists': Govt hits back after vicious campaign targets Atif Mian

October 31, 2018: A three membered bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) (chief justice saqib nisar, justice asif saeed khosa and justice mazhar alam khan) acquitted a blasphemous woman 'asia maloona' (aka asia maseeh/bibi) in a high profile case.

The woman was sentenced capital punishment earlier by session court and Lahore High Court against which a petition was filed in SCP by asia's lawyer saif-ul-malook. Remember that, she's the same woman for whom ex-governor Punjab salman taseer maloon was championing and committed blasphemy in a live TV show.

October 31, 2018: TLP had already announced to stage protest in case of asia's acquittal. TLP staged sit-in in front of Punjab Assembly, Lahore right after SCP announced its reserved decision. A huge number of sit-ins were reported from different cities till the mid-night. Punjab government had to announce two holidays on November 1st and 2nd due to disruption.

October 31, 2018: PM Pakistan addressed to nation maintaining that 'it's a judicial order' and only a 'handful people' were protesting against the SCP order. However, his body language was so nervous and he kept on justifying the decision.

November 2, 2018: The gathering of Lahore sit-in was multiplied by hundreds for the Friday prayer. Later in the evening, Peer Afzal Qadri revealed that General Faiz Hameed (then ISI chief) threatened to open the indiscriminate fire on sit-in if not ended, during the talks between TLP and government's negotiating teams.

November 2, 2018: In the evening, an agreement was announced between TLP and GOP. According to which, TLP would file an appeal against SCP decision on which government wouldn't try to influence and the culprit (asia maloona) would not be released before a decision on the appeal.

November 8, 2018: It surfaced on main-stream media that asia maloona had departured for 'undisclosed country' in a chartered plane. However, later TLP leadership released a video clip quoting 'responsible institutions' of Pakistan that she's not released from the jail.

November 21, 2018: Amid no advancements as agreed in the pact between TLP and GOP, TLP announced a rally from Liaqat Bagh Rawalpindi to Faizabad interchange Islamabad marking the 'Shuhada e Faizabad' (martyrs of Faizabad 2017) day on November 25, 2018.

November 23, 2018: A very organized, 'well-timed' and coordinated crack down was initiated against TLP arresting the central and regional leaderships approximately at the same time in the night.

Thousands of workers were arrested between 23rd and 25th of November. After raid of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) on Jamia Masjid Rehmatulilalmeen and shortly before his arrest, Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi (RA) ordered the workers to stage protests all over the Pakistan. However, Rangers and Police carried out organized operations, firing straights bullets and rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protests and arrested a lot of more workers. Dozens of TLP fatalities were reported during these crackdowns.

November 25, 2018: A huge contingents of LEA personnels and 'security in civilian clothes' was deployed at various places in Rawalpindi and Islamabd. Every person who seemed a worker of TLP was arrested and hundreds of more workers were arrested.

First website of TLP Unofficial (tlyp.org) was blocked by GOP during this crackdown.

After arrest of TLP leaders and thousands of workers, GOP admitted that asia maloona had been acquitted. In an interview to a foreign TV, (then) PM imran khan described it as his heroic achievement that his government acquitted a blasphemer.

February 05, 2019: Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi appeared in ATC Lahore

Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi appeared in Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) Lahore where thousands of people gathered to warmly welcome their leader. Tons of rose petals were showered on the police convey bringing Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi to the court. However, police arrested ~92 people and filed terrorism charges against them on showering rose petals on the TLP chief.

May 14, 2019: Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Peer Afzal Qadri granted bail

From the released trailer of the film 'Zindagi Tamasha', produced by sarmad khoost, it was evident that Muslim clerics were framed as paedophiles in the movie. TLP reacted strongly on generalizing the crime of a few criminals over all the Muslim clerics and demanded the ban on the film. However, PTI government refused any actions against the film. But the release of film was temporarily delayed to avoid protests during the visit of a foreign cricket team.

Read more: Senate human rights panel green-lights Zindagi Tamasha's release

A song by bilal saeed, featuring himself and an actress S*** Q****, surfaced on streaming websites and other social media accounts. The dance scenes in the song were shot inside the Masjid Wazir Khan Lahore which fomented the Muslims sentiments. Though local administration announced to investigate the matter after facing a lot of criticism, but the production teams were granted permissions to do so before hand by PTI government in the Punjab province.

A few months later, federal minister of science and technology (fawad chaudhary, who was later re-appointed as federal minister of information and broadcasting) from PTI danced on drum beats in the permises of the same mosque along with several actors and singers.

Read more: Fawad Chaudhry Dances In Front Of Wazir Khan Mosque

September 04, 2020: French government supported the publications of blasphemous caricatures by a french satirical magazine and projected those on a official building. It fomented Muslims sentiments and worldwide protests were staged. TLP hold a massive rally in Lahore and demanded GOP to sever diplomatic ties with france and boycott its products.

September 05, 2020: After a very successful rally by TLP yesterday, LEAs carried out a raid on Jamia Masjid Rehmatulilalameen Lahore to arrest Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi. However, the attempt was not successful as the TLP chief was not at the home at the moment.

Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi kept on asking GOP to meet the TLP demands in all of his speeches since late August. Intermittent rallies were also being held in different cities demanding GOP to expel French ambassador.

November 07, 2020: Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi announced next rally (on November 15th) from Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi to Faizabad Islamabad while addressing to a millions march in Karachi.

November 12, 2020: LEAs raided Jamia Masjid RehmatulilAlameen to arrest Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi ahead of Rawalpindi rally. But again the raid was not successful as Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi was not present there.

November 15, 2020: TLP workers managed to reach Liaqat Bagh Rawalpindi despite of cordoned areas, suspension of cellular service in whole region, astronomical contingents of LEAs personnels and profligate use of tear gas shells. The march turned into million march when set off for Faizabad interchange. However, Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi couldn't make to it due to illness, rather the march was led by other TLP leaders along with Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi (son of Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi and now Ameer of TLP). TLP announced to stage a sit-in at Faizabad interchange till the demands were met.

November 16, 2020: In a predawn operation, LEAs made another botched attempt to disperse the sit-in using rubber bullets and nearly 30 thousand tear gas shells.

November 17, 2020: Negotiations started after several botched attempts to disperse sit-in by the government. A pact signing was announced in the very early morning of Tuesday according to which PTI led government was to expel French ambassador within three months through a parliamentary resolution.

November 19, 2020: Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi left us for immortal life.

February 11, 2021: Three months ultimatum about to end without any actions from government to expel french ambassador. Government asked for more time from TLP which was granted on a condition that prime minister of GOP will announce this before media. PM imran khan announced the agreed terms with TLP that the deadline for earlier pact has been extended to April 18, 2021.

Read more: TLP accepts govt.'s request to give it more time to table demands of Faizabad pact in parliament

Meanwhile, GOP kept trying to convince TLP to step back from their demands; the sources confirmed. However, TLP didn't agree to a quid pro quo.

April 12, 2021: Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi, Ameer TLP, was arrested days ahead of TLP's announced march towards Islamabad on April 18 if government wouldn't expel french ambassador over blasphemous caricatures.

Hundreds of protests were reported till the mid-night staged in many cities across the country.

Read more: When and What happened between April 12-18, 2021?

April 13, 2021: An FIR was filed against Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi a day after his arrest. LEAs kept on using abuse of power to disperse the sit-ins. Rubber bullets, tear gas shells, chemical water and (on some places) direct bullets were fired to disperse the protesters resulting in fatalities.

All of the sit-ins (out of more than 100) were dispersed till April 18, 2021. The brutal operation were carried out at Liaqat Bagh Rawalpindi and Chungi Amarsaddhu Lahore.

April 18, 2021: Early in the morning, a very organized police operation (led by CCPO Lahore) was carried out to disperse last and central sit-in at Jamia Masjid RehmatulilAlameen Lahore. Direct bullets were indiscriminately fired on the protesters who were fasting also amid the month of Ramadhan. A number of fatalities (martyrdoms) were reported after which countrywide protests emerged out, supported by all fields of life. Police stopped their botched attempt after ~5 hours of 'efforts'. At least 30 fatatlities were reported according to list published by the TLP.

Read more: TLP publishes list of martyrs

April 19, 2021: A countrywide strike was observed by all fields of life on call of Mufti Muneeb ur Rehamn (ex-chairman moon sighting committee Pakistan).

Government was ultimately compelled to negotiate with TLP.

April 20, 2021: In a pre-dawn announcement, government agreed to table the resolution of expulsion of french ambassador in the parliament on the condition that TLP will end it's sit-in to which TLP agreed. The resolution was tabled in the legislative house and the session was adjourned for discussion on it later. TLP called off its protests.

After TLP called-off its protests, government again reneged on the agreement with TLP. GOP refused to proceed resolution of expulsion of French ambassador and release Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore kept on extending detention of Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi for consecutive three months (90) days.

July 2, 2021: Government asked for further extensions which was refused by provincial review board.

Read more: LHC review board dismisses govt.'s request to extend Hafiz Saad's detention

July 10, 2021: Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi was expected to be released on completion of 90 days of detention. However, Government of Punjab (via DC Lahore) detained Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi for further 90 days under ATA act.

TLP lawyers filed a petition in Lahore High Court (LHC) against the detention which was proceeded in the court very slowly.

October 1, 2021: LHC nullified the detention orders of Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi.

Government didn't release Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi using delaying tactics and unsuccessful tries to get extension through federal review board.

Read more: Lahore High Court nullifies detention of Hafiz Saad Rizvi

October 9, 2021: Federal review board revoked its orders of extension in the detention of Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi. But he was not released in the blatant trampling of constitutional and judicial orders by PTI led government. Central Executive Committee (CEC) of TLP announced and started a peaceful protest on the sides of road outside the Jamia Masjid Rehmatulilalameen/Shrine of Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi.

Read more: Federal review board revokes its order of extension in Hafiz Saad's detention

Read more: Peaceful protest to be continued until Hafiz Saad Rizvi gets released: CEC TLP

October 19, 2021: TLP CEC staged a sit-in on Multan road outside Shrine of Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi RA and announced a march towards Islamabad if Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi would not be released within two days.

Remember that no negotiations were reported during these 12 days.

October 22, 2021: TLP march set-off for Islamabad after Friday prayer. It faced vicious crackdowns near MAO college, at Azadi Chowk, Batti Chowk and Ravi bridge. A number of fatalities were reported due to bullets fired on the participants.

Read more: TLP long march to Islamabad

October 23, 2021: Long march managed to leave Lahore (which was reportedly a failure for Punjab government which delegated free hand to LEAs to manage to stop the long march within Lahore on any price). Federal government initiated negotiations with TLP CEC and asked them to pause the long march at Muridke. Interior minister sheikh rashid ahmed announced 'successful talks' with TLP and agreed to proceed resolution of expulsion of French ambassador in the national assembly within three days.

However, no advancements were made within three days. Only the corroborated reports on preparations of LEAs to ambush the long march on further points.

October 27, 2021: TLP resumed its march after government reneged on its new agreement again. A brutal attempt to stop this march at Sadohke was made by LEAs firing bullets from helicopters as well. A number of fatalities were reported from there.

GOP called rangers for provincial security which drew a red line at Chennab bridge.

October 30, 2021: TLP paused its long march at Wazirabad (near Chennab bridge) when notable scholars and 'responsible institutions' came in front to meditate. The negotiations were finally successful.