After the radical Islamic movement
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) mobilized its supporters to march towards the capital Islamabad again, the government was forced to strike a deal with its leaders, according to a report by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on 31 October 2021.
World Watch Research analyst Thomas Muller gives some background: "The TLP had already held large scale and violent protests (including city blockades) in 2020, demanding among other things that the French ambassador should be declared a persona non grata. Earlier in 2021, the government had banned the movement, but now caved in under pressure. While the details of the deal are not yet clear, it seems that around one thousand TLP members have been released from prison and that the TLP ban has been lifted, meaning it will be allowed to contest elections again. (In the last general elections in July 2018, it gained around 4% of the vote but did not win any seats in the national parliament.) In exchange, the TLP has
promised to stop committing acts of violence against civilians and government forces (Reuters, 2 November 2021). It remains to be seen whether the terms of this deal will be respected; former agreements frequently proved unsuccessful in this respect."
Thomas Muller continues: "In another development, the government has reportedly been holding talks behind closed doors with the radical Islamic movement
Tehrik-e-Pakistan (TTP), as reported by Gandhara on 3 November 2021.‚ It is significant that these talks are taking place in Afghanistan with the support of the new Afghan government. Earlier peace talks failed to stop attacks and violence occurring in Pakistan."
Thomas Muller concludes: "It is clear that the government needs to deal with both the TLP and TPP in some way. However, it looks as though religious minorities in Pakistan (including Christians) should prepare for a future where radical Islamic groups have now become more confident, following the Taliban"s rise to full control over Afghanistan."
