Violent Clashes Erupt as TLP Begins March to Islamabad
LAHORE – Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) launched its “Gaza March” toward Islamabad on Friday after prayers, sparking widespread clashes with law enforcement across Lahore and parts of Punjab. Hundreds of supporters, led by TLP chief Saad Rizvi, gathered at Shahdara and staged a sit-in, partially crippling the city.
Police attempted to halt the march near the group’s headquarters using barricades, containers, and tear gas. Despite these efforts, TLP workers broke through security points and continued marching, chanting religious slogans and confronting officers along major routes, including Multan Road, Azadi Chowk, and Bhati Gate.
In response to the unrest, authorities in Gujrat district dug trenches at multiple locations on the Grand Trunk Road and sealed river bridges using heavy vehicles to block the procession. However, these measures failed to fully contain the rally.
Streets Turn to Battlefields as Violence Intensifies
Clashes escalated after Friday sermons by TLP leaders, with videos on social media showing protesters using cranes and vehicles from government agencies to push past police barriers. Some demonstrators were seen hurling stones and bricks from the Orange Line track, injuring several officers. Police fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowd.
Skirmishes erupted across several hotspots, including Yateem Khana Chowk, Chauburji, and Shahdara. At Azadi Chowk, multiple police vehicles were attacked and damaged. Dozens of officers sustained injuries, with some seen retreating as protesters advanced. At least three police vehicles were seized, and some personnel were reportedly held hostage and assaulted.
TLP claimed several of its workers were injured and alleged deaths due to police firing—though no official casualty numbers were released. Police accused TLP-linked social media accounts of sharing old, misleading visuals to provoke unrest.
By evening, hundreds of TLP activists remained camped near Ravi Bridge awaiting further instructions from Rizvi.
Government Cracks Down, Over 100 Protesters Remanded
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry condemned the violence, accusing TLP of using protests for political gain under the guise of religious solidarity. He reiterated that peaceful protest is a right, but blackmail through violence would not be tolerated.
Chaudhry confirmed that hundreds of suspects had been identified and several already arrested. “Stopping 2,000 people is not a challenge for the state, but we have chosen to use minimal force,” he added.
An anti-terrorism court in Lahore remanded 110 TLP activists into police custody for 12 days on charges of attacking law enforcement and damaging property. Those detained include key figures like Qari Umar Farooq, Basharat Ali, and Qari Shabbir Farooqi.
Gujrat on Lockdown as Authorities Brace for Escalation
In Gujrat, authorities ramped up roadblocks by digging trenches at Sarai Alamgir and Wazirabad, and for the first time, inside Kharian city. Both Chenab and Jhelum river bridges were sealed using parked containers, cutting off vehicle movement. Pedestrians were still allowed through, though officials warned this could change.
Heavy containers were also deployed in Lalamusa, Kharian, and Sarai Alamgir, halting daily life. Businesses across the region were forced to close, with traders urging the government to find non-disruptive ways to maintain law and order.
As tensions rise and TLP’s march gains momentum, authorities remain on high alert across Punjab, preparing for further clashes in the coming days.
