Prime Minister Imran Khan said that action against the now proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was taking under the country’s anti-terrorism law as the ultra right-wing party had challenged the writ of the state.
The premier’s, in a series of tweets, made clear to the people in the country and abroad that TLP had been proscribed as its workers had violently attacked the people and law enforcers.
“No one can be above the law and the Constitution.”
Let me make clear to people here & abroad: Our govt only took action against TLP under our anti-terrorist law when they challenged the writ of the state and used street violence & attacking the public & law enforcers. No one can be above the law and the Constitution.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI)
Thousands of TLP activists and supporters rioted in cities across the country for three days after their leader was detained following his call for the expulsion of the French ambassador.
Armed with sticks, canes and in some instances guns, they went on a rampage, damaging properties worth millions of rupees. At least four people were killed and more than 600 were injured during the violent protest over the week.
“We Muslims have the greatest love and respect for our Prophet (PBUH) who lives in our hearts. We cannot tolerate any such disrespect and abuse,” the prime minister said while giving a message to ‘extremists’ aboard who indulge in Islamophobia and racial slurs.
My message to extremists abroad who indulge in Islamophobia & racist slurs to hurt & cause pain to 1.3 bn Muslims across the globe: We Muslims have the greatest love & respect for our Prophet PBUH who lives in our hearts. We cannot tolerate any such disrespect & abuse.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) APRIL 17, 2021
PM Imran further added that people in the west, including the right-wing politicians, who deliberately indulge in such abuse and hate under the guise of free speech clearly lack moral sense and courage to apologise to the 1.3bn Muslims of the world for causing such hurt.
“We demand an apology from these extremists,” the prime minister stressed.
Those in the West, incl extreme right politicians, who deliberately indulge in such abuse & hate under guise of freedom of speech clearly lack moral sense & courage to apologise to the 1.3 bn Muslims for causing this hurt. We demand an apology from these extremists.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) APRIL 17, 2021
The premier also called on western governments, who “have outlawed any negative comment on the holocaust”, to use the same standards to penalise those who were deliberately spreading their message of hate against Muslims by abusing the religion.
I also call on Western govts who have outlawed any negative comment on the holocaust to use the same standards to penalise those deliberately spreading their message of hate against Muslims by abusing our Prophet PBUH.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI)
