Supporters of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), led by radical cleric Saad Hussain Rizvi, clashed with Pakistan’s Punjab Police near TLP headquarters in Lahore on Wednesday night ahead of their planned protest march towards the US Embassy in Islamabad. The confrontation quickly escalated into street battles when Pakistani forces made attempts to arrest Saad Rizvi with reports of injuries on both sides.
The Pakistani regime ordered police operation hours after TLP (Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan) announced its plan to stage a large protest outside the US Embassy in Islamabad after Friday prayers. TLP says this protest is against the ‘Gaza Deal’ and Pakistan’s alleged collusion with Israel. As this news spread Islamabad warned that any attempt to march towards the US Embassy would be prevented. The raid in Lahore’s Iqbal Town area was aimed at detaining Rizvi and dispersing preparations for the protest.
The Punjab Police launched a large-scale crackdown on TLP members, arresting dozens of workers and local leaders across Punjab. Police sources said this operation was aimed at preventing ‘unlawful gatherings and incitement to violence.’ Later when the police surrounded TLP headquarters and attempted to enter inside, intense clashes erupted. Eyewitness videos show groups of men running through smoke-filled streets, holding spent tear-gas shells and chanting slogans against police brutality. Police used tear gas and baton charges, while TLP activists retaliated with stones and metal rods.
Supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have accused the “establishment” (euphemism for Pakistan Army) of recognising Israel and betraying the Palestinian cause under external pressure. TLP condemned, what it calls, state repression and religious persecution alleging that the police are targeting their families. Eyewitnesses and local activists reported that if TLP workers were not found at home, police raided residences and detained their female family members and even infants. The party’s spokesperson described these actions as “the worst form of state-sponsored terrorism,” vowing to continue their movement against “the establishment’s betrayal of Islam and the people of Palestine”. Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) is a hardline Barelvi Islamist group known for its street power and anti-Western rhetoric. TLP has frequently clashed with Pakistani law enforcement agencies over blasphemy-related issues and foreign policy matters.
TLP spokesmen accused police of “excessive use of force” and demanded the “immediate release of Saad Rizvi.” TLP representatives said negotiations with the Punjab government would only begin once Rizvi is freed.
Social media posts from TLP-affiliated pages claim that dozens of activists were injured and several arrested during raids on nearby residences. Police officials, meanwhile, stated that at least three constables were injured after being attacked by protesters wielding iron rods.
This latest confrontation follows a pattern of periodic clashes between TLP supporters and law enforcement, particularly in Lahore. In previous incidents — most notably in 2021 — TLP marches led to prolonged standoffs with police over issues related to blasphemy laws and diplomatic protests. The group’s leader, Saad Rizvi, was previously detained multiple times for organizing violent protests and blocking national highways. Human rights observers and political commentators have warned that the recurrent crackdowns on religious parties and dissenting voices reflect the Pakistan establishment’s growing intolerance of opposition, as the country faces mounting internal unrest and international pressure over its stance on the Middle East conflict.
As of Thursday morning, the Punjab Police have reinforced security around Lahore, and TLP supporters continue to mobilize online, calling for new demonstrations. The situation remains volatile in Lahore.