ISLAMABAD: Earlier today, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that negotiations were underway between the government and detained TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi on ending the proscribed group's march to Islamabad.

Briefing the media after the NSC meeting, Ahmed said the government wanted to "amicably" resolve the matter of the protest march, which has disrupted life in several Punjab cities for two weeks.

The minister announced that PM Imran would address the nation on Saturday about the current security situation, saying "he will present the entire situation before the nation and his speech will explain the narrative of the government."

He said four policemen had been martyred in clashes with TLP workers, while more than 80 had been injured, eight of them critically.

"We stand by our position and we are waiting for them (TLP) to abide by their commitment to open the GT Road."

Ahmed said it was also expected that Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri would talk to the TLP leadership again.

Referring to one of the TLP's demands, the minister said the government had taken the matter of the French ambassador's expulsion to the parliament, adding that the opposition would not vote in favour of such a move.

He noted that TLP protesters were heading to Islamabad for the seventh time. "People are facing difficulties, the demonstrators should review their stance," he said.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Ahmed had called on the TLP to stick to the promises it had made with the government, warning that "things will be out of my hands" if the group failed to do so.

Speaking on Geo News' programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath', the minister said he had spoken to the TLP leadership — including its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi — multiple times in recent days and would talk to them again on Friday (today) and Saturday. "However, the talks would only be held after [the TLP] returns," he added.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also berated the TLP, saying that the government would "not tolerate this joke for long" and urged the protesters to end their long march.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said there was "no debate" on the finality of Prophethood in Pakistan and that using it as an excuse to create a "divisive environment" was an "uncivil act".

He also criticised religious scholars for not openly condemning the TLP.

The minister added that the government only wanted the TLP to end the protest and, while staging peaceful demonstrations was their right, the group could not force the government to accept their demands by resorting to violence.

Chaudhry said the government was willing to hold talks with anyone, but within the ambit of the law.

He said PM Imran had taken unprecedented and exemplary measures against Islamophobia and for the sanctity of Prophethood. "But the TLP bringing out a mob in the streets [cannot be tolerated]."

The minister also commended police and law enforcement agencies for their services to the country, saying that they had the complete support of the national leadership.

Referring to the NSC meeting held earlier in the day, Chaudhry said the civil and military leadership were on the same page regarding the TLP issue.

"Such unrest is a conspiracy against Islam and the goal is to divide people under the guise of religion."

The minister said the social media accounts of the proscribed group had been monitored in the past, and it was revealed that they were receiving support from India. He said that government will monitor the TLP's social media accounts and keep the media informed of the developments.

Chaudhry said the government didn't want bloodshed in the streets and and wanted to settle matters peacefully.