Post by : Rameen Ariff

Dozens of people were injured in Lahore, Pakistan, on Thursday after violent clashes broke out between police and members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party. The clashes occurred ahead of a planned anti-Israel protest called the “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March”, scheduled to take place on Friday in Islamabad.

The Punjab police conducted a raid at the TLP headquarters in Lahore to arrest the party’s chief, Saad Hussain Rizvi. Police said they were met with violent resistance as TLP supporters attacked officers with stones and iron rods. At least five police constables and over a dozen TLP workers were injured during the confrontations. The TLP, however, claimed that one of their members was killed and at least 20 were injured.

In response to the planned protest, the Pakistan government has suspended mobile and internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Major entry and exit points to the capital have been sealed, and the Red Zone remains fully restricted, with access limited to authorized personnel. Section 144 has also been imposed across Punjab, banning all public gatherings, rallies, and protests for 10 days. Exceptions are made for prayers, weddings, funerals, offices, and court premises. Weapons and loudspeakers are also banned throughout the province.

The TLP protest is being organized to show solidarity with Palestinians and to demonstrate against Israel. A TLP spokesperson said, “The Jews are oppressing Muslims in Gaza, and here their supporters are oppressing Muslims in Pakistan. The government’s raids and arrests across Punjab are unjust and must stop immediately.”

The spokesperson further condemned the detention of dozens of TLP workers, including the party’s deputy chief, Pir Syed Zaheer-ul-Hassan Shah, and stated that the government would be responsible for any public backlash if the oppression continued.

Authorities in Punjab are reportedly considering deploying paramilitary Rangers to prevent further clashes. Police have confirmed that Rizvi has so far eluded arrest, and a large number of law enforcement personnel remain deployed around the TLP headquarters in Lahore.

This situation comes amid rising tensions in Pakistan as religious parties prepare for mass protests while the government tightens security measures to prevent violence. The international community has been monitoring these developments closely, given the potential for unrest in the region

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