Pakistan lifts ban on TLP Islamist group

Pakistan has lifted a ban on a radical Islamist group that was behind deadly protests demanding the expulsion of the French ambassador in retaliation for last year's depiction of the prophet Muhammad in a French magazine.

Pakistan's Interior Ministry issued an advisory on Sunday night to revoke the ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a far-right party committed to retaining the country's controversial blasphemy laws.

Days after an agreement between the government and the group, the Interior Ministry said that the TLP would be allowed to participate in mainstream politics in the "larger national interest".

The TLP abandoned its plan to march on Islamabad from its stronghold eastern city of Lahore and promised not to stage violent protests in future under the deal, officials said.

The group, whose members follow the Barelvi branch of Islam, has been holding deadly protests against the depiction of Muhammad in France. Barelvi is different from the form of Islam practiced by groups like the Taliban. Also known as Sufi Islam, it allows its followers to listen to mystic music and dance.

The government refused to expel the French ambassador and instead, in April, banned the TLP under the country's anti-terrorism laws, putting the group in the same category as the outlawed al-Qaida and Pakistani Taliban.

The TLP rose to prominence in 2017 for its support of anti-blasphemy laws, seeking a death sentence for those found guilty of insulting Islam or Mohammed. Any depiction of Muhammad is forbidden in orthodox Islam.    (dpa)