ISLAMABAD: Talks between the capital administration and leaders of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have started over a protest planned by the latter against publication of blasphemous caricatures in France.

Officers of the administration told Dawn on condition of anonymity that senior officers had approached the party leaders after they sought security cover for the protest rally scheduled to be held on November 15.

Earlier, an application was submitted to the office of the deputy commissioner, requesting security for the protest rally from Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi to Faizabad in Islamabad.

The rally will be led by party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi.

A team of administration officers is trying to convince the TLP leaders and organisers of the rally to call it off due to the prevailing situation, said the officers, adding: “Covid-19 is spreading all over the country, including Islamabad.”

The talks have started and a couple of rounds will also be held on Friday. So far, it has not been decided to give or deny permission or security cover to the TLP for the rally.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn that the TLP had sought security cover for the rally. Talks are in progress with the TLP leaders to persuade them not to hold the protest due to the current situation, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2020