ISLAMABAD: Four policemen were killed and more than 250 were injured today in clashes with activists of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) clashed with law-enforcement personnel near Sadhoke and Murdike in Punjab province.
Chief Minister Punjab Chief Usman Buzdar tweeted that the four police personnel were martyred due to firing by TLP workers while 253 others were injured in the violence.
Meanwhile, in a press conference Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said three policemen had been martyred while eight of the injured are in critical condition.
More than 30 policemen injured in the clashes were taken to the Muridke Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, while 35 injured personnel were shifted to the Sheikhupura District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.
Meanwhile, a Punjab police spokesman told Reuters: “TLP activists used SMG, AK 47 and pistols to target police officials as the result of which several officials were martyred.”
The TLP claimed that several of their activists had also been killed or wounded. Police said the clashes escalated when they tried to block the TLP activists’ march towards Islamabad.
TLP accuses Sheikh Rashid of lying
Earlier, the TLP’s central committee accused Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid of lying that matters between it and the government had been settled, adding that the protesters would now depart from Muridke soon for their announced destination of Islamabad.
In a statement issued by the group’s central committee, TLP leader Syed Sarwar Shah Saifi said: “Sheikh Rashid lied yesterday that matters have been resolved. He also lied about contact with us at 8pm — from then till now no government official, including Sheikh, has contacted us.”
“Let the entire nation see the malicious intent of the government,” the statement said.
On Tuesday, Rashid had said that the government did not have any “reservations” on the TLP’s demands and there was agreement on all issues discussed with the group — except for the matter of the French ambassador’s expulsion.
He reiterated that the government and TLP had reached an agreement on all other issues and that he would contact the group again at 8pm.
