Pakistan TLP Protests

TLP, a banned outfit has been holding protests since Friday, this thread is to cover the latest unrest.

Several roads remain blocked in Lahore, Islamabad as TLP protest continues ​

Imran Gabol | Dawn.com
Published October 23, 2021 - Updated about 2 hours ago


Several roads remained blocked in Lahore and Islamabad on Saturday as the protest by the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) continued.

A spokesperson for the Lahore police, Rana Arif, said the protesters have reached the Kala Shah Kaku Interchange and are planning to use the Grand Trunk Road to reach Islamabad.

In view of the development, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) said it was likely the district police would block the entry and exit points of the interchange. "We advise avoiding travelling in the vicinity," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who was in Dubai to watch Pakistan compete in the T20 cricket World Cup, returned home on Saturday on Prime Minister Imran Khan's directive to monitor the situation, AFP reported.

A day after three policemen were martyred and several others injured in clash with TLP workers, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) issued a list of roads that were closed for traffic amid the tense situation.

According to the PSCA, the closed routes include Dubai Chowk to Scheme Mor, Kharak to Scheme Mor, Liaquat Chowk to Scheme Mor, Gulshan Ravi to Yateem Khana, Samanabad to Yateem Khana, Bandar Road Shell Pump to Yateem Khana, Babau Sabu to Motorway, Shahdara Chowk, Sagian Bridge, Old Ravi Bridge, Moon Market to Scheme Mor, Bijli Ghar to Scheme Mor, district courts to Sagian, Data Darbar to Pir Makki and Lahore Ring Road.

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) also issued an alert, informing residents that Express Chowk was closed for traffic, adding that Margallah Road, Ayub Chowk, Nadra Chowk and Dhokri Chowk could be used alternatively.

"Diversion placed at 9th Avenue signal for both sides of traffic from IJP Rd. to Faizabad and from IJP Rd. to Stadium Rd. Alternatively, 9th Avenue can be used to enter Islamabad and Peshawar Rd can be used to for Rawalpindi," it shared in a tweet.

In addition, Murree Road was closed for traffic from both, the police said, adding that traffic was being diverted to the Islamabad Highway for commuters going from Islamabad towards Murree Road.

"Diversion placed at Murree Rd. before Faizabad for traffic from Rawal Dam Chowk to Faizabad. Alternatively, Park Rd., Tramri Chowk and Lehtrar Rd can be used to reach Islamabad Hwy. Srinagar Hwy, 9th Av. and IJP Rd. can be used to reach Rawalpindi," the ITP said.

It further said the metro bus service was suspended in Rawalpindi but was operational from the stop on IJP Road to the Pakistan Secretariat.

The group's latest round of sit-ins began on Tuesday to put pressure on the Punjab government for the release of its chief Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi, a son of its late founder Khadim Rizvi.

Rizvi is detained by the Punjab government since April 12 for "maintenance of public order (MPO)". He was initially detained for three months and then again under the Anti-Terrorist Act on July 10. A federal review board is scheduled to take up the government’s reference against him today.

However, TLP leader Pir Ajmal Qadri on Thursday appeared to delink the march from the release of its incarcerated leader, and said the purpose of the move was "respect for the Holy Prophet (PBUH)".

3 policemen martyred in clashes with TLP workers​

A day earlier, three policemen were martyred and several others injured in clashes with TLP workers.

Chauburji, Lower Mall and surrounding areas turned into battlefields with videos of the clashes showing police firing teargas shells to disperse the protesters who in return pelted the law enforcers with stones. Many TLP workers carrying clubs appeared to be fighting back when the riot police tried to disperse them.

In a statement, Lahore DIG (Operation) Spokesperson Mazhar Hussain identified two of the slain officials as Ayub and Khalid. The identity of the third official has not yet been ascertained, but a statement from the provincial chief minister stated that three policemen were martyred.

Hussain said that several others were also injured and taken to the hospital in critical condition. "Protesters also hurled petrol bombs on officials," he said, adding that officials tried to prevent them from vandalising and damaging public property.

"The angry mob also used sticks and pelted stones," he said, adding that officials were showing restraint despite the violence.

A TLP media coordinator, Saddam Bukhari, said the police attacked the peaceful rally that was on its way to Islamabad.

In a separate statement, a spokesperson for the banned group said that workers had endured the "worst shelling in history" and were "attacked from all sides" near the Mao College Pul. By late Friday night, the protesters had managed to reach Azadi Chowk, where they staged a sit-in for the night. The group's leaders said they planned to leave for Islamabad at dawn.

Life in the areas where the clashes took place came to a standstill, as the Punjab government suspended mobile phone services and power supply to the areas following the tense situation.

Security arrangements​

On Friday, the Central Police Office issued instructions to the four regional police officers and district police officers to beef up security on GT Road leading to Islamabad to stop the TLP procession at any cost. Rawalpindi police blocked almost the entire city by placing containers on roads.

Following the clashes, the TLP leadership refused to talk to a government committee till the release of their incarcerated leader Saad Rizvi, whom the group said would lead any negotiations. They alleged that on the one hand the authorities were engaging them in talks, and on the other, "thousands of their workers" had been shot at and many were wounded.

The Punjab government had earlier on Friday constituted a committee comprising provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat and Minister for Prosecution Chaudhry Zaheeruddin for holding talks with the TLP ahead of its march on Islamabad.

The capital administration and police have been provided 500 personnel of Rangers while a contingent of 1,000 Frontier Constabulary soldiers were due to join them on Saturday to stop a march on the capital by the TLP.

With expected support from other religious groups, the local chapter of the banned organisation is prepared to host a sit-in which they claimed would reach Faizabad by Monday.

Meanwhile, directives were issued to the Islamabad administration and police to arrest all TLP leaders, activists and workers wherever they were seen, sources told Dawn. Besides, instructions were issued to use force against the banned outfit if it tried to enter Islamabad.

So far, police have arrested 50 leaders, activists and workers in Islamabad and detained them in different police installations.

The administrations of seminaries were also approached and warned to refrain from joining the TLP protest, the sources said, adding that some of them gave an assurance and announced their disassociation from the TLP.

Maulana Aziz announces support​

Lal Masjid has already announced its support to the TLP and it is likely that students and followers of Maulana Abdul Aziz will hold their own protest in Aabpara or around Lal Masjid.

Talking to Dawn, Maulana Aziz said on Friday that he supported the cause of the TLP and would encourage his supporters to take part in the sit-in at Faizabad.

Rashid to lead govt efforts for negotiations with TLP​

Three cops, three TLP workers reported dead in Lahore; 'Curfew-like' situation in Pindi with main roads sealed

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Asif Mahmood/Rizwan Shehzad
October 23, 2021


Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid chairs a high-level meeting in Lahore. PHOTO: EXPRESS

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LAHORE/RAWALPINDI:
Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid has arrived in Lahore to lead government efforts for negotiations with the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after violent protests left more than five people dead in the provincial capital.

The minister, who arrived on a special plane to the provincial capital to lead the dialogue with the TLP leadership, is chairing a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation in the wake of the bloody protests.

The meeting is being attended by Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, Kashmir Affairs Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, the police chief of Punjab among other officials.

During the meeting, the government is expected to take “important decisions” regarding the banned religious party. Provincial government officials will also brief Rashid on the security situation with respect to TLP.

Rashid abandons Dubai visit
Earlier in the day, Rashid abandoned his two-day visit to Dubai and returned to Pakistan in the wake of the worsening security situation in the country amid violent clashes between the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan protesters and the Punjab police.

Rashid had left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to watch a cricket match between India and Pakistan. Both archrivals will face each other at the T20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday at 7 pm.

In spite of protests by the banned TLP seeking the release of their chief Saad Rizvi and expulsion of French envoy, Rashid had taken a two-day leave from PM Imran Khan to watch the cricket match.

He, however, was directed by the premier to skip the match and return to handle the situation.

Read At least three killed, more than 100 arrested as TLP protest continues

Meanwhile, the security situation in Lahore and Rawalpindi remains tense due to clashes between the religious outfit's members and law enforcement personnel.

The clashes have resulted in the death of three policemen and two Labbaik workers, as per confirmed reports.

However, in a statement issued around noon, TLP leader Mufti Wazir Rizvi claimed that the Lahore police used tear gas on asleep party workers and also alleged that TLP workers came under 'straight firing' from the police.

The police operation on Saturday has resulted in at least one fatality, he said, adding that the bodies of the deceased TLP men will accompany the banned outfit to Islamabad.

In another statement, the TLP central committee said policemen will not be harmed during the protest despite all the "oppression".

'Curfew-like situation'
In Rawalpindi, a curfew-like situation was witnessed as authorities concerned placed containers and other obstacles on various routes, including Murree Road, leading towards Islamabad to stop the protesters from reaching the federal capital.

The district administration has also deployed heavy contingents of police along Murree Road, which has been completely sealed from Marir Chowk to Faizabad Interchange.

Schools, offices, and markets are closed in the vicinity of the main artery that connects Pindi to Islamabad, while residents of the area have been stranded due to the blockades.

Read TLP activists storm police station in Lahore

The Metro Bus service and public transport have been suspended as the violent protests entered the second day. Rangers have taken control of the metro tracks to keep the TLP workers at bay.

In Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab and the starting point of the TLP march, clashes between the banned TLP and police have left at least five people, including three cops, dead since Friday. The number of the injured is reportedly in dozens.

As per the latest reports, clashes have been ongoing near Batti Chowk. Rangers and police have been firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd whereas the TLP workers are pelting stones at the paramilitary force and the police.

The banned party also has a crane – its official election symbol – as part of its rally to remove the blockades.

In the light of the security situation, internet and mobile services have been suspended in Shahdara, Shafiqabad, Ravi Road, and Shahdara Town.

Background
On Tuesday, the banned TLP announced that it would turn its main Eid-e-Miladun Nabi rally in Lahore into a protest sit-in and urged the government to ensure implementation of the agreement reached with the party earlier this year.

The TLP had given the government two days to fulfil the promises, saying that if the agreement reached in April was not fulfilled, the next course of action would be announced on Thursday evening. In the evening, it had announced a march on Islamabad as the government failed to fulfil its demands.

Read Govt under fire for mishandling TLP crisis

The main demand of the party is the expulsion of the French ambassador to Pakistan. However, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said on Thursday the government could not expel the ambassador at TLP’s demand.

'Talks failed'
The Punjab government had formed a committee on Friday, comprising provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat and Prosecution Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, for talks with the banned outfit.

“We have formed a committee consisting of senior members of the Punjab cabinet Raja Basharat Sahib and Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Sahib to negotiate with Tehreek-e-Labbaik," Buzdar had said in a tweet. However, so far, the talks between the two sides have remained inconclusive.

On Twitter:

Internet services have been restored in Lahore, TLP protesters are out of lahore and moving towards the Capital via GT road. Internet services would be closed in Gujranwala and Gujrat from tomorrow.

Does any one know, why are they protesting?

BATMAN said:

Does any one know, why are they protesting?

Click to expand...

Khafee said:

Govt accepts TLP’s conditions to end protests: Rashid | The Express Tribune

Signals unfreezing accounts, releasing its chief; minister says it is the third largest political party of Punjab

tribune.com.pk

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'TLP seeking the release of their chief Saad Rizvi and expulsion of French envoy'

This is nonsense, they are idiots and their protest is no less than fitna.

Rangers being called in Punjab for 60 days following clashes with TLP: Rashid ​

Published October 27, 2021 - Updated 39 minutes ago


@War Historian @BATMAN @aliraza @AliYusuf @TomCat Govt in control or lost control?

Khafee said:

Rangers being called in Punjab for 60 days following clashes with TLP: Rashid ​

Published October 27, 2021 - Updated 39 minutes ago


@War Historian @BATMAN @aliraza @AliYusuf @TomCat Govt in control or lost control?

Click to expand...

Striving to maintain control. Time will tell, whether will be successful or not.

Khafee said:

Rangers being called in Punjab for 60 days following clashes with TLP: Rashid ​

Published October 27, 2021 - Updated 39 minutes ago


@War Historian @BATMAN @aliraza @AliYusuf @TomCat Govt in control or lost control?

Click to expand...

Sir, government had mishandled the matter. Earlier it was very easy to control the matter. But government officials did all these blunders deliberately.and now it has become a matter of ego for both sides. But at the moment govt has already loss the control, over most of the matters. So bloody clash between government and TLP will might cause the end of government. But ministers are still not able to judge the sensitivity of this matter, and they are encouraging the PM to use the force to control protest. But after every new clash more people are gathering for the protest.i think its the end of imran khan's era.

BATMAN said:

'TLP seeking the release of their chief Saad Rizvi and expulsion of French envoy'

This is nonsense, they are idiots and their protest is no less than fitna.

Click to expand...

Sir i don't know , they are fitna or not. But for the love and respect of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) , every one is ready to die. And our government shows common public, they are align with the Frenchman. That's the wrong message to the general public.

War Historian said:

Sir i don't know , they are fitna or not. But for the love and respect of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) , every one is ready to die. And our government shows common public, they are align with the Frenchman. That's the wrong message to the general public.

Click to expand...

.
TLP is a bunch of misguided people, trying to propagate mischief aka fitna.
Allah has warned us about such fitna mullas, message delivered to us by Mohammad saw.
Going against the guidance of Allah, is like challenging Allah and disrespecting messenger of Allah.
Putting your self at risk of death for any purpose beyond saving life/lives is haram, and people who die in process of spreading fitna die for the sake of evil, and making war with them is jihad, which is duty of Pakistan security forces.
Presence of French ambassador in Pakistan or any where in world does not reflect any alignment. Those who think like this are idiots, to say the least.

Khafee said:

Rangers being called in Punjab for 60 days following clashes with TLP: Rashid ​

Published October 27, 2021 - Updated 39 minutes ago


@War Historian @BATMAN @aliraza @AliYusuf @TomCat Govt in control or lost control?

Click to expand...

I support using tactical nukes, to handle this fitna. It's duty of state institutions.

Khafee said:

Rangers being called in Punjab for 60 days following clashes with TLP: Rashid ​

Published October 27, 2021 - Updated 39 minutes ago


@War Historian @BATMAN @aliraza @AliYusuf @TomCat Govt in control or lost control?

Click to expand...

these trojan horses has to be dealt with