Pakistan: TLP protesters set up overnight camp at Muridke after clashes with police

The supporters of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) established overnight camps at Muridke in the Sheikhupura district of Punjab, aiming to reach Islamabad to protest in solidarity with Palestinians, even as Israel approved the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal on Friday, reports 24brussels.

Large-scale protests erupted in Pakistan earlier in the day as TLP members marched towards the capital, resulting in violent clashes with police in Lahore. Authorities responded by blocking roads and suspending internet services in several areas of Islamabad.

The demonstration, termed the “Gaza March” by the group, began after Friday prayers at the TLP’s headquarters on Multan Road in Lahore. Led by TLP chief Saad Rizvi, the march attracted thousands of supporters, many of whom carried sticks, rods, and bricks while chanting religious slogans.

Law enforcement attempted to thwart the rally by erecting barricades and deploying tear gas at strategic intersections, including Yateem Khana Chowk, Chauburji, Azadi Chowk, and Shahdara. Despite these efforts, protesters managed to breach the barriers and progressed towards Islamabad.

Witnesses reported that some TLP supporters occupied sections of the Orange Line Metro track and engaged in stone-throwing at security forces, resulting in injuries to multiple police officers. Footage circulating on social media suggested protesters commandeered government vehicles, including cranes from the Lahore Waste Management Company and the Punjab Police, for their march.

Clashes intensified near Lahore’s Azadi Chowk, causing damage to several police vehicles and injuring numerous officers. Videos shared online depicted law enforcement firing tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowds, with some officers retreating for safety.

Lahore police confirmed that dozens of officers were injured during the unrest, while the TLP claimed many of its members were hurt, alleging that some had been killed by police fire—a claim that could not be independently verified.

In response to the violence, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore remanded 110 TLP activists to police custody for 12 days, accusing them of attacking officers and damaging public property during the protests. The First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Nawankot Police alleges that the TLP resorted to violence against law enforcement personnel.

Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, criticized the TLP for exploiting issues of corruption for political gain, asserting that the government would not tolerate violence or intimidation from any group. Chaudhry emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, there is no room for blackmail or mob violence to achieve demands.

The TLP, a hardline Islamist party founded in 2015, has a history of clashing with authorities over religious and political matters, often mobilizing large-scale protests that disrupt major Pakistani cities. By late Friday night, tensions remained elevated across Punjab province, with heavy security in place along main routes to Islamabad to prevent further escalation.