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TLP Marches to Islamabad for Anti-Israel Protest; Clashes Rock Lahore
TLP began its march to Islamabad for an anti-Israel protest, clashing with police in Lahore. One protester reportedly died, several injured; govt imposes Section 144 in Punjab, seals roads, and suspends mobile services in twin cities.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-10
TLP Marches to Islamabad for Anti-Israel Protest; Clashes Rock Lahore

The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Friday launched its protest march from Lahore towards Islamabad, vowing to stage an anti-Israel demonstration outside the US embassy in the capital. The march, which began at Chauburji Chowk, quickly turned violent as protesters clashed with police.

According to an Edhi Foundation spokesperson, several policemen were injured and moved to hospitals by volunteers. A TLP spokesperson, Usman Naushahi, said one protester had died and at least 22 were injured.

Government Response and Clashes

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry strongly condemned the violence, saying mob politics would not be tolerated. “Protesting is a constitutional right, but must be exercised within legal bounds,” he said at a press conference.

He alleged that TLP activists had attacked security forces using sticks, chemicals, and glass balls embedded with nails, injuring over a dozen police and Rangers personnel. “Mob rule has no place in Pakistan,” he stressed, adding that footage would soon be shared with the media.

The minister also questioned the rationale behind the march, noting that a ceasefire had already been reached between Hamas and Israel, and accused TLP of exploiting religious sentiment for political gain.

Security Measures in Islamabad and Punjab

In anticipation of the march, authorities sealed off major entry points to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, placed hundreds of shipping containers around the Red Zone, and suspended 3G and 4G mobile services in the twin cities from midnight Thursday.

The Islamabad Traffic Police issued a diversion plan, warning of road closures near Faizabad Interchange and advising commuters to avoid the area. Over 7,000 security personnel — including police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary — were deployed to maintain order.

To prevent unrest, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code — which bans gatherings of four or more people — was imposed across Punjab and Rawalpindi until October 11. Police detained more than 280 TLP activists in advance of the march, according to reports.

Crackdown in Punjab and Rising Tensions

Late Thursday, violence erupted in Lahore as police raided the TLP headquarters in a bid to arrest party chief Saad Rizvi, sparking clashes that injured several, including police officers.

A Home Department notification cited “credible threats from hostile groups, including RAW, TTP, BLA, and Daesh,” and warned that large gatherings could be targeted to incite sectarian violence. The order also prohibited the display of weapons, misuse of loudspeakers, and dissemination of inflammatory content.

Educational institutions, including Punjab University, were ordered closed, and exams scheduled by the Punjab Public Service Commission on Oct 11–12 were postponed.

US Embassy Advisory

Ahead of the demonstration, the US Embassy in Islamabad issued an advisory warning of potential disruptions nationwide and urged American citizens to avoid large gatherings.

Conclusion

As the TLP march moves toward Islamabad, authorities remain on high alert. Internet blackouts, heavy security, and sweeping restrictions underscore government efforts to prevent another prolonged standoff like previous TLP sit-ins at Faizabad Interchange, a historic flashpoint for the group’s protests.
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PakistanProtests

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