KARACHI: Chairman of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee and religious scholar Mufti Muneebur Rehman on Saturday urged both the government and parties protesting under the banner of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasulallah for the last several days in Islamabad to find a solution to the issue as the prolonged protest could turn into a major crisis for both sides.

Addressing a press conference at his Darul Uloom Naeemia, he urged the protesting parties to show flexibility for a “respectable solution” and requested the government to appoint senior legislators with authority for final dialogue with the leaders of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.

“I fear it’s not going to benefit anyone,” he said. “I have also conveyed my message to the leaders of the protesting parties and would also appeal to the government to sort it out amicably. It can be done easily and with consensus,” added Mufti Rehman.

Referring to the standoff at Faizabad intersection after the contingents of Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps were deployed around the sit-in site, he said the country could not afford any tragedy.

The local administration has also ordered the police to stay alert while some of the entry points of Islamabad have been blocked using containers.

“The parliament has restored the oath regarding Khatm-i-Nubuwat in its original form,” he said. “Now the leaders of the protesters only demand action against those behind the oath attempt. The government should handle it sensibly,” Mufti Rehman suggested, adding that at the same time he had urged leaders of the protesters to resolve the issue on their part.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2017