Deadly Clashes at Pakistan Pro-Palestine March Kill Five

Violence Erupts During TLP Protest March

At least five people were killed and dozens injured during violent clashes between Pakistani security forces and supporters of the banned extremist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) during a pro-Palestine solidarity march on October 13, 2025. The deadly confrontation occurred in Muridke, near Lahore, as TLP supporters attempted to breach police roadblocks while marching toward Islamabad to protest outside the US Embassy.

The casualties included one police officer, three protesters, and one bystander, according to local media reports. Police reported that demonstrators opened fire on law enforcement, while TLP supporters claimed authorities initiated the shooting. 'We are witnessing open treason and terrorism against the state,' stated Punjab government officials in their defense of the police operation.

Roadblocks and Escalating Tensions

The violence erupted when TLP supporters tried to remove shipping containers that authorities had placed on roads to block their path. The march, which began in Lahore on Friday, was intended to reach Islamabad for a demonstration against Western and Israeli policies in Gaza. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and baton charges as protesters reportedly used stones, batons with nails, and petrol bombs.

TLP leader Saad Hussain Rizvi, who was reportedly wounded in the clashes, addressed police in a video recorded just before sunset. 'I request you to stop shooting at the protest march and I would like to speak with you,' Rizvi could be heard saying, with gunshots audible in the background.

TLP's History of Violent Protests

Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is a far-right Islamist populist political party known for its extreme positions, including demanding the death penalty for those who insult Islam. The party has organized multiple violent demonstrations in recent years, particularly following Quran burnings abroad.

According to Wikipedia, TLP became Pakistan's fourth-largest political party following the 2024 general elections, securing nearly 2.9 million votes. The party's support base primarily consists of Sunni Muslims from the Barelvi movement.

Previous Clashes and International Connections

This is not the first time TLP protests have turned deadly. In 2021, three people were killed during clashes between police and TLP supporters, with security forces being attacked with petrol bombs and five officers kidnapped.

The party also has connections to international controversies. In 2024, TLP leader Saad Rizvi was sentenced to four years in prison by a Dutch court for threatening Dutch politician Geert Wilders, though he remains in Pakistan and is unlikely to serve the sentence due to the lack of an extradition treaty between the Netherlands and Pakistan.

In 2019, TLP organized mass protests after the conviction of Pakistani national Junaid I., who received ten years in prison for planning an attack on Wilders over the Dutch politician's planned cartoon contest about the Prophet Mohammed.

Government Response and Security Measures

Authorities closed several major roads and motorways in response to the protests, and some schools in Islamabad ended classes early due to law and order concerns. The Punjab government described the police action as necessary for public safety, while TLP supporters accused authorities of excessive force.

The violence occurred amid broader regional tensions, including recent border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan that reportedly left hundreds dead, highlighting the fragile security situation in the region.