LAHORE: Law enforcement agencies launched a large-scale operation in Muridke on Sunday to contain the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protest. Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and heavy police contingents from five districts surrounded the protest camp early in the morning. The move appeared to be part of preparations for a major crackdown to prevent the march toward Islamabad.
Authorities swiftly blocked all exit routes from Muridke. They dug trenches and sealed roads to stop TLP supporters from moving beyond the city. Police officials confirmed that two attempts by protesters to advance toward Islamabad were foiled. Security personnel used tear gas and baton charges to disperse groups trying to cross the trenches.
Officers remained on high alert throughout the day. Senior Lahore police officials were instructed to stay on standby to lead deployments as soon as final orders were issued. Lahore Operations DIG Faisal Kamran and several SPs reached Muridke to supervise the situation on the ground. Similar reinforcements arrived from Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Gujrat districts.
Government reviews security situation
In Lahore, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met to review the national security situation. Following their directives, ten officers from each of Lahore’s 85 police stations moved toward Muridke under their respective SHOs. Anti-riot units also joined the operation to maintain order and prevent violence.
A Punjab police source revealed that the decision to increase manpower followed a high-level meeting chaired by Inspector General Dr. Usman Anwar on Saturday night. Senior officials, including Lahore CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana and DIG Faisal Kamran, attended the meeting. They decided to adopt “more stringent measures” in response to TLP-linked vandalism and attacks on police facilities.
Clashes and detentions reported
Officials briefed that violent TLP supporters had attacked police stations in Shahdara, snatching official vehicles and damaging property. Some policemen went missing amid fears of abduction during clashes. Authorities also detained around 170 TLP workers under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) in Sahiwal division.
By evening, reports indicated that TLP chief Saad Rizvi instructed his supporters to stay calm and await further orders. He condemned the police action and denied giving any approval for the march to proceed. Rizvi said the protest aimed to express solidarity with Palestine and reiterated that Pakistan must not recognise Israel.
Meanwhile, mobile data services were partially restored in Rawalpindi and Islamabad after negotiations between government officials and TLP representatives began in Lahore. However, authorities continued to monitor the situation closely, anticipating further developments.
