A pro-Palestinian march led by the far-right Islamist group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore turned violent, resulting in at least 11 deaths and over 50 injuries after confrontations with Punjab police. The group was attempting to march to Islamabad but was stopped by security forces using tear gas, barricades, and trenches.
TLP accused the police of indiscriminate firing, while authorities defended their actions as a necessary response to aggressive protests. The situation has left life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi paralysed, with schools closed, roads sealed, and internet services suspended. TLP has vowed to continue their protests despite government crackdowns.
Escalation of Violence in Lahore
The clashes began as thousands of TLP protesters gathered in Lahore to begin their march to Islamabad to show solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing violence in Gaza. The protesters faced a heavy police presence, which had prepared barricades and deployed riot control units to prevent the march from proceeding.
According to Punjab police, the situation escalated when protesters started throwing stones and damaging police vehicles. Police responded by using tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd, actions they say were necessary after repeated warnings went unheeded.
Hospital officials reported a surge in casualties, with more than 50 injured brought in, some with severe wounds requiring urgent medical care. Video footage from the scene showed tear gas filling the streets and ambulances hurriedly moving through barricades. Saad Rizvi, the TLP chief, strongly condemned the police firing, describing it as indiscriminate and unjustified. Meanwhile, Punjab’s government accused the group of attempting to exploit the Gaza crisis to destabilise the country. The police also detained several members of Rizvi’s family in a raid on his residence as the government intensified efforts to control the unrest.
Political Background and Government Response
The TLP’s protests stem from their opposition to the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s perceived inaction on the Gaza crisis. The group called the march a decisive protest against what they termed the “betrayal of Gaza.” Pakistani authorities preemptively closed major motorways and suspended internet services to curb the march’s spread toward the capital. Islamabad and Rawalpindi remain in lockdown, reflecting heightened security concerns.
The Pakistani government has maintained that while the public has the right to peaceful expression, it will not tolerate violence, blackmail, or disruption of law and order. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed for calm and urged the TLP leadership to respect the law. Political analysts warn the unrest reflects the broader challenges Pakistan faces amid economic turmoil and political instability, where militant groups often leverage emotive international issues to mobilise support and challenge state authority.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragic loss of life in Lahore highlights the critical necessity of peaceful protest and measured responses from authorities. While it is vital to voice solidarity with humanitarian causes like Palestine, doing so through violence undermines public safety and democratic principles.
The Logical Indian stands for dialogue, kindness, and empathy as the foundations for resolving conflicts. It is imperative that governments protect citizens’ rights to express their beliefs without resorting to force, and that protesters remain committed to peaceful advocacy.
BREAKING: Over 10 TLP protesters reportedly killed in Lahore as Pakistan Army used gunship helicopters to crush demonstrations. TLP was protesting a secret deal between Israel, the US & Army Chief Asim Munir to send 3,000 Pakistani troops against Hamas if hostages aren’t freed. pic.twitter.com/6CwkDpZt0k
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) October 11, 2025
