Violent clashes persisted on Saturday in Lahore as police clashed with the Islamist group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) while attempting to prevent them from advancing towards the capital for a pro-Palestinian rally. The TLP labeled the Punjab police as “Israeli goons” and alleged that the police initiated firing, resulting in the deaths of 11 members and injuries to over 50 individuals.
According to a viral video, a leader from the far-right Islamist group stated that 11 TLP members had been killed during ongoing shelling and firing. The protests, which commenced on Thursday to condemn the Gaza killings by Israel, escalated on Saturday with police using tear gas and baton charges against protesters at various locations. In response, the demonstrators hurled stones at the police, leading to multiple injuries among law enforcement officers as reported by The Dawn.
The situation intensified near Lahore’s Azadi Chowk where several police vehicles were set ablaze, and numerous officers were wounded. Police implemented barricades, utilized shipping containers, and dug trenches in various areas to impede thousands of TLP protesters, headed by the group’s leader Saad Rizvi, from reaching Islamabad for their planned rally near the US embassy.
The US embassy cautioned its citizens to avoid large gatherings and stay vigilant. The unrest coincided with Israel and Hamas agreeing to an initial phase of the Gaza peace agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump. Life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi came to a standstill for a second day due to the protests and ensuing violence, transforming the cities into fortresses with sealed roads, closed businesses and schools, and disrupted internet services.
Pakistani minister Talal Chaudhry accused the TLP of exploiting the situation for political motives and emphasized that the government would not tolerate any group resorting to violence or attempting to manipulate the state.