News Analysis |
PTV early this morning announced that the Law Minister Zahid Hamid has sent his resignation to the PM Shahid Khaqqan to take the country “out of a state of crisis”. The resignation of the law minister was the key demand of the Tahreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah.
The minister finally resigned after Saturday’s failed action against the protestors at Faizabad. The leaders of the demonstration have thanked the Army Chief, Qamar Bajwa for his efforts to resolve the differences between the protestors and government.
The government created a blackout on information in the country when it shut social media and private news channels across Pakistan after the protest spread to several other cities of the country.
PTV, state broadcaster reports that late Sunday evening negotiations took place between the leaders of the demonstration and the government. Over the weekend’s operation, six people were killed while hundreds were injured.
The minister’s resignation was the key demand of the protesting Tahreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah who held him responsible for the change in election oath. Radio Pakistan reported that Zahid Hamid has offered the resignation to move the country out of this critical situation.
Read more: Zahid Hamid under mounting pressure after protesters refuse to budge
The military leadership sat with the government and had also recommended that a peaceful end is brought to the situation. The army chief also reportedly suggested that the use of force should not be used against the protesters and that it was not for the army to come in. Although on Sunday over 1000 Rangers were deployed on the streets.
PTV, state broadcaster reports that late Sunday evening negotiations took place between the leaders of the demonstration and the government.
The government created a blackout of information in the country when it shut social media and private news channels across Pakistan after the protest spread to several other cities of the country.
Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah had been protesting for the last 20 days and demanding action against those responsible for making, now-withdrawn, an amendment to the clause pertaining to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath for electoral candidates and the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
Earlier, the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had said that “If the government send the law minister packing, it would eventually set a wrong precedent.”
Consequences of this sit-in
Political analysts have opined that although, the recent stand-off between TLY and the government has ended, thanks to the intervention of Army, it will have severe consequences for the current government. Several sitting MNA’s of the ruling party have either resigned or have separated themselves from PML-N with many more waiting for the opportune moment to take similar steps.
They added that a major portion of PML-N’s vote bank consists of conservatives who distaste liberal ideals of PPP and PTI. The recent fiasco has damaged Nawaz League’s image as a political party with religious leanings. They labeled Capt. Safdar’s statement in support of TLY stance as a failed effort to appease his conservative vote back and the realization among the leadership of the ruling party of the damage this fiasco has caused.
Since the beginning of Khatam-e-Nubawat controversy, several renowned analysts and anchors have indicated that the recent unrest was stirred to pitch army against civilians and use it as an opportunity to strike a deal with local establishment to save Nawaz Sharif which certainly has backfired.