Top leaders mull legal action against TLP.

Byline: Kamran Yousaf

ISLAMABAD -- The civil and military leadership on Tuesday hinted at taking a possible legal action against the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leadership for creating a law and order situation and challenging writ of the state in the wake of the apex court's order to acquit a blasphemy accused.

The high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) - chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by the services chiefs and senior cabinet members - made it clear that 'progress and prosperity of Pakistan lies in peace, stability and rule of law.'

Observers believe that the NSC's emphasis on the rule of law suggest the government might be contemplating some legal action against the TLP and its leaders.

Within hours of the NSC meeting, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar also took notice of the 'huge losses of property and lives caused to general public by riots and mobs in response to the judgment of Supreme Court of Pakistan'.

The three-day violent protests, triggered by the Supreme Court's October 31 verdict, were called off on Friday by the TLP after it struck a deal with the government negotiators. However, the PTI government faced severe criticism from opposition parties for what they called 'bowing down to extremists'.

Some equated the agreement signed with the protesters as surrender. Even some government ministers were not happy with the manner the issue was handled. Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari admitted that the policy of appeasement would not work.

In a damage control exercise, the government launched a crackdown against those who damaged public prosperity and resorted to violence during the three-day protest. Hundreds of protesters were rounded up and efforts were on to detain remaining ones who were involved in violence and vandalism.

However, it was not clear if the government would proceed against the TLP Patron-in-Chief Pir Afzal Qadri, Central Ameer Khadim Hussain...