Pakistan: Islamist group releases 11 police hostages

April 19, 2021

Pakistani officials on Monday said 11 policemen captured by the supporters of a radical Islamist party had been released.

Party followers have vented their fury since the leader of the now-banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) — who was set to lead anti-France protests — was detained last Monday.

What happened to the officers?

Followers of the TLP seized the officers as hostages on Sunday during violent protests in the city of Lahore.

Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the police had been released early Monday after “negotiations” with the TLP.

“Negotiations have been started with TLP; the first round completed successfully,” Rashid said in a video on Twitter. “They have released 11 policemen who were made hostages.”

Rashid said a second round of talks would take place later Monday, although anticipated content was unclear.

Social media footage had earlier shown some of the officers appearing bloody and bruised, with bandages around their heads.

Why are the TLP supporters protesting?

The TLP has led an anti-France campaign for months, including calling for the ambassador to be expelled. In October, Pakistan’s Parliament backed a resolution for the expulsion to take place by April 20.

The campaign came after France’s president defended the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine for republishing cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, any act many adherents consider blasphemous.

Pakistan’s government banned the TLP last week, effectively labeling it a terrorist organization. The French government last week advised its citizens to leave the country after TLP leader Saad Rizvi was detained.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday suggested the party hadn’t been banned for its ideology, but rather its methods.

“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,” Khan tweeted.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

Affluent upbringing

Imran Khan was born in Lahore in 1952, the son of a civil engineer. Khan grew up with his four sisters in a relatively affluent part of the city. He received a privileged education, first in his hometown and then in Worcester, England. It was there that Khan’s love and talent for the game of cricket became evident. In 1972, he enrolled at Oxford University to study politics and economics.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

Pakistan cricket’s blue-eyed boy

Khan played cricket throughout his time in England and after returning to his native Pakistan in 1976, he quickly became a regular in the national team. By 1982, he was awarded the captain’s armband. Khan enjoyed an illustrious career and was regarded by many as one of the best all-rounders in the world.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

World champion

The ultimate high point of Khan’s sporting career saw him captain Pakistan to the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Melbourne, Australia. As if his popularity couldn’t get any bigger back home, Khan even took the winning wicket in the final against England.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

From playboy to (thrice) married man

Khan enjoyed hedonistic bachelor life and was a regular fixture on London’s nightlife scene. However, in 1995, at age 42, he finally tied the knot to 21-year-old Jemima Goldsmith. During their nine-year marriage, the famous couple provided plenty of fodder for the British and Pakistani tabloids. Despite separating in 2004, Goldsmith has remained a vocal supporter of Khan’s politics.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

Khan enters politics

Khan wasted little time after retiring from cricket in 1994. Just two years later he entered Pakistani politics and founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. However, his popularity was slow to carry over from cricket into politics. In the 1997 general elections, his PTI party failed to win a single seat.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

Political activist

Khan remained active in politics over the next decades. In 1999, he supported General Pervez Musharraf’s military coup, only to later turn against Musharraf ahead of the 2007 presidential election. Khan was subsequently placed under house arrest and even spent a few days in prison. However, his supporter base continued to grow, and by 2013 he became a key candidate in the general elections.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

2013: Khan’s political breakthrough

The PTI made substantial gains in the 2013 election, claiming 30 parliamentary seats and finishing second behind the Pakistan Muslim League. The party became the main opposition in the key provinces of Punjab and Sindh. However, its greatest feat was winning its first province in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

“Taliban Khan”

Khan has often been the butt of jokes for his pacifist stance towards terrorism in the region. He earned the moniker “Taliban Khan” for claiming that the only way to achieve peace with the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan was through negotiation. Khan was also a vocal critic of US drones strikes on Pakistan and has promised to disengage Pakistan from America’s conflicts in the Middle East.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

Two more marriages

Since his divorce from Goldsmith in 2004, Khan has remarried twice. In January 2015, Khan announced his marriage to British-Pakistani journalist Reham Khanm although just 10 months later the couple said they were filing for divorce. In February 2018, Khan married his third wife, Bushra Manika (pictured front row, second from the left), whom he describes as his spiritual adviser.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

Making waves in 2018

By 2018, Khan’s PTI were among the favorites going into the general election. Campaigning on a populist platform, Khan pledged to break away from Pakistan’s corrupt legacy. His plans include a poverty reduction program similar to that seen in China. This would see the establishment of an “Islamic welfare state,” the creation of 10 million jobs and construction of 5 million homes for the poor.

Who is Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister?

Prime Minister Imran Khan

Khan completed his journey from all-star cricketer to political leader on July 26, 2018. With most votes counted, the PTI is expected win up to 119 seats in Pakistan’s 272-seat parliament. “I started this struggle 22 years ago and today I have been given a chance to fulfill what I dreamed for the country,” Khan said in a televised speech. “We will run Pakistan like it’s never been run before.”

Author: David Martin