Supporters of the banned Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan stand atop of a police vehicle while others walk during a protest near Lahore.

Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) vowed on Friday to crack down on banned Tehrik-e-Libaik Pakistan (TLP) group if violent protests continue, toughening up its rhetoric after at least seven policemen were killed in clashes over the past week.

Thousands of activists from TLP movement have been marching along the Grand Trunk Road, Pakistan's busiest highway, threatening to block the capital Islamabad if detained TLP leader Saad Rizvi is not released. The NSC resolved not to tolerate any further breach of law by the TLP.

"TLP’s actions have caused public disorder, serious economic losses to the country, besides boosting the morale of other terrorist outfits seeking to challenge the state’s writ,” said an official statement after the NSC meeting.

The NSC met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday. It was attended by relevant federal cabinet members, National Security Adviser, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all three services chiefs, chiefs of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and senior civil and military officers. The NSC received a detailed briefing on the internal security situation and the ongoing agitation by the TLP.

The prime minister stressed that no group or entity will be allowed to cause public disruption or use violence to pressure the government and took serious note of the unprovoked violent attacks committed by TLP members.

The NSC praised the police for their professionalism and restraint despite being directly targeted and suffering casualties, including four martyrs and over four hundred injured, but warned that the state’s restraint should not be seen as a sign of weakness.

While emphasizing that the government recognised the right of peaceful protest of all Pakistanis, the NSC members were unanimous that TLP was deliberately employing violence against public property, state officials, and ordinary citizens to create instability in the country and that this shall not be tolerated. All organs of the state stood ready to act as per the law to protect the life and property of citizens.

The prime minister and the NSC members expressed condolences at the loss of life of policemen and committed to compensating and looking after their families. Commending the exceptional performance of the law enforcement agencies, the Prime Minister assured that the government will firmly stand behind them as they act to enforce the law and protect the public.

The NSC took notice that no previous government or prime minister had taken such an unequivocal, public international stance on the issue of Namoos-e-Risalat and Islamophobia. Under the current government, Pakistan has successfully brought these issues to the fore of international diplomatic discourse in the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and European Union, among other fora. One key objective of establishing the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority is also to intellectually counter international propaganda against Islam and sanctity of the Prophet (PBUH).

Participants decried TLP’s misuse of religion and the issue of Namoos-e-Risalat for political gains, which was misleading the common man and creating internal discord within society. TLP’s violence had ended up furthering the agenda of sectarian elements and external enemies of the state. It was pointed out that despite the overwhelming majority of the over 1.5 billion Muslims globally holding utmost love and respect for our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), no such violent agitation had taken place in any other Muslim country.

Participants recalled that TLP had adopted the ploy of violent street agitation on numerous occasions since 2017 and made unrealistic demands each time, solely as a tool to gain political strength.

The NSC unanimously resolved to guard its sovereignty from all internal and external threats and to not allow TLP to challenge the writ of the state in any way.

Participants endorsed the government’s decision to negotiate with the group only within the bounds of law, without offering leniency for any crimes committed by TLP operatives. Endorsing the view of the Committee, the Prime Minister instructed that all measures and actions necessary to enforce the law and protect the interests of the state and public shall be ensured.