By Wasif Ali Khan
TWA
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ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Pakistan’s government has vowed to prevent any group from marching on the federal capital, following violent clashes between police and supporters of the religio-political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore that left at least two people dead.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday that the government “will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands,” as the TLP called for a protest outside the United States embassy in Islamabad to show solidarity with Palestinians.
The announcement came two days after police raided the TLP’s headquarters in Lahore in a bid to stop its leaders from leading a planned march to the capital. The raid triggered clashes between security forces and party supporters, resulting in casualties and renewed tensions across Punjab province.
“No group will be allowed to march on Islamabad or any other city under any circumstances,” Naqvi said while inspecting security arrangements in the Faizabad area. “The writ of the state must be maintained.”
Authorities have deployed additional security personnel across Islamabad, sealed major roads with shipping containers, and suspended mobile phone services in several parts of the city as a precautionary measure.
Dozens of TLP activists have been detained, while schools in Islamabad and the adjoining city of Rawalpindi were ordered to send students home early amid growing security concerns.
TLP, a hardline group known for its street power and agitation politics, has staged multiple marches and sit-ins in the capital since its emergence in 2017. Its protests—often centered on blasphemy-related issues—have frequently brought life in major cities to a standstill and led to violent confrontations with police.
Local media reported late Friday that TLP supporters had gathered in the Shahdara area on the outskirts of Lahore, raising fears of further unrest.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told reporters that “there is no room in the country for mob politics,” warning that anyone challenging the state’s authority would face consequences.
He said several protesters were armed with sticks, chemicals, and nails, adding that “they used these against the police and Rangers, injuring more than a dozen officers.”
Author
Wasif Ali Khan, a seasoned journalist, currently serves as the Editor of The World Ambassador.
