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Pakistan: TLP march turns violent, clashes erupt with police in Lahore
Large-scale protests erupted in Pakistan on Friday as members of the far-right Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) commenced a march towards Islamabad, resulting in violent confrontations with police in Lahore and prompting authorities to implement roadblocks and suspend internet services in the capital, reports 24brussels.
The protest, termed the “Gaza March,” began after Friday prayers from the party’s headquarters on Multan Road in Lahore. Led by TLP chief Saad Rizvi, the rally attracted thousands of supporters, many of whom chanted religious slogans while brandishing sticks, rods, and bricks.
Police attempted to impede the march by erecting barricades and deploying tear gas at critical intersections, including Yateem Khana Chowk, Chauburji, Azadi Chowk, and Shahdara. Despite these efforts, the protesters breached the barriers and advanced towards Islamabad. Eyewitnesses reported that some TLP supporters occupied sections of the Orange Line Metro track and hurled stones at security forces, resulting in injuries to several police officers.
According to reports, videos circulated on social media depicted protesters commandeering government vehicles, including cranes from the Lahore Waste Management Company and the Punjab Police, to facilitate the procession.
Violence escalated near Azadi Chowk in Lahore, leading to damage of multiple police vehicles and injuries to several officers. Law enforcement personnel responded by firing tear gas and warning shots to disperse the throng, while some officers were seen retreating amidst the chaos. The Lahore police reported that numerous officers were injured in the confrontations, whereas the TLP claimed that many of its members sustained injuries, with allegations of fatalities resulting from police gunfire that could not be independently verified.
In response to the unrest, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore placed 110 TLP activists under police custody for 12 days, citing accusations of attacking officers and causing damage during the protest. The FIR filed by Nawankot Police alleges that the group employed firearms and engaged in violent actions against law enforcement personnel.
Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, accused the TLP of exploiting the issue of corruption for political gain and emphasized that the government would not tolerate violence or intimidation from any group. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Chaudhry remarked, “Peaceful protest within the democratic and constitutional framework is a constitutional right. But there is no space for groups to blackmail others, use mobs, or resort to violence to achieve their demands.”
The TLP, a hardline Islamist party established in 2015, has historically clashed with authorities over religious and political matters, known for organizing large-scale protests that often disrupt major Pakistani cities. By late Friday night, tensions remained elevated across Punjab province, with authorities maintaining a strong security presence along primary routes to Islamabad to avert further escalation.