Violent Clashes Erupt In Lahore As TLP Marches Toward Islamabad; Party Claims 11 Workers Killed | World News

Large-scale protests by Pakistan’s hardline Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) turned violent in Lahore on Friday, leading to casualties, injuries to dozens of police officers and the blockade of major roads leading to Islamabad.

TLP chief Saad Rizvi claimed that Punjab police killed at least 11 party workers during the clashes, while more than two dozen were injured. He also claimed that many injured workers were denied medical treatment. These claims could not be independently verified, and police officials have not confirmed any deaths in the operations, News 18 reported.

How Did Violence Occur?

The conflict began after Friday prayers, when thousands of TLP supporters launched what the group called the “Gaza March” from the party’s headquarters on Multan Road in Lahore. The procession, led by Rizvi, attracted supporters chanting religious slogans and carrying sticks, sticks and bricks.

The police tried to stop the march by setting up barricades and firing tear gas at important intersections such as Yateem Khana Chowk, Chauburji, Azadi Chowk and Shahdara. However, protesters overcame many obstacles and continued to advance towards the capital.

Eyewitnesses reported that some TLP supporters occupied parts of the Orange Line Metro line and threw stones at security forces, injuring several police officers.

Escalation and Material Damage

Footage circulating on social media shows protesters seizing government vehicles, including cranes belonging to the Lahore Waste Management Company and Punjab Police, to use in the parade.

Clashes intensified near Azadi Chowk in Lahore; Here, many police vehicles were damaged and many police officers were injured. Videos on social media show law enforcement officers firing tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowd, while some officers retreated to safety.

Lahore police reported that dozens of officers were injured during the clashes. TLP claimed that many of its employees were also injured and repeated its claims that the deaths occurred as a result of police shooting, but these claims have not yet been confirmed.

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Legal Action and Storage

Amid the turmoil, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore remanded 110 TLP activists in police custody for 12 days on charges of attacking officers and damaging public property during the protest.

The FIR lodged by Nawankot Police accuses the group of firing at law enforcement officers and resorting to violence; TLP denied these accusations.

Government Response

Pakistani Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry accused the TLP of exploiting the issues for political purposes and warned that the government would not tolerate violence.

“Peaceful protest within the democratic and constitutional framework is a constitutional right,” Chaudhry told Islamabad media. he said. “But there is no room for groups to blackmail others, use gangs or resort to violence to achieve their demands.”

Authorities responded to the unrest by closing roads to Islamabad and suspending internet services in the capital to prevent further mobilization.

Context: History of TLP’s Street Mobilization

Founded in 2015, the TLP is a hardline Islamist party known for mobilizing large-scale street protests that often paralyze Pakistan’s major cities. The group has repeatedly clashed with authorities over religious and political issues in recent years.

The organization rose to prominence with its aggressive stance against blasphemy laws and demonstrated its ability to bring thousands of supporters to the streets; This often led to violent clashes with security forces.

The current situation

As tensions remained high in Punjab province late Friday night, authorities imposed tight security measures on major routes to Islamabad to prevent tensions from escalating further.

(via ANI Inputs)