AFTER a secret deal last week between PTI government and Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), Federal Cabinet on Saturday approved de-proscription of the religious party.
This has been done so on a summary moved by Punjab government, which has also started releasing arrested workers of the TLP.
Given the fact that government had outlawed the TLP under the anti-terror law in April this year after three days of violent protests by the party’s members across the country and killing of police personnel most recently by their supporters, revoking the proscribed status would not have been an easier decision.
It will definitely trigger a lot of outcry. On the face of it, the decision gives the impression that a banned outfit dictated its terms to the State and that other banned outfits may also pursue same course to get the tag of ban lifted.
However, it must also be understood that it was a very sensitive issue and any mishandling of it or use of force could have lead to deterioration of the situation.
The PTI government is facing a lot of criticism on this decision but we understand that Prime Minister Imran Khan did the right thing of involving religious scholars to defuse the situation and take the matters towards normalcy since statements of some ministers had also contributed to putting fuel to the fire.
The contours of agreement signed between the government and the TLP are now before anybody that religious party wanted de-proscription and release of its workers.
While government has fulfilled its commitment, it is now up to the TLP to abide by its assurances of being peaceful and refrain from violent protests in future. In fact a chance has been provided to the party to correct its course and act responsibly.
