By Admin 
Violent clashes broke out between supporters of the extremist Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and police during an anti-Israel march in Lahore, Pakistan on Monday. At least one officer died and many people were injured. The city came to a near standstill due to violent clashes as protesters marched towards the capital Islamabad.
Firing between police and protesters
Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar said that the protesters opened fire on the officers, killing one officer and injuring others. He did not confirm the casualties among the protesters, but the TLP said in a statement that several of their supporters were also killed or injured.
TLP chief Saad Rizvi seriously injured
TLP chief Saad Rizvi has been shot several times and is in a critical condition in the hospital. The news of his death is going viral on social media, but according to sources he is seriously injured and has not died. TLP shared a video, in which Rizvi is seen appealing to the security forces to stop firing and saying that they are ready for talks.
Unverified social media claims state that TLP chief #SaadRizvi has been killed; however, credible sources indicate he was shot multiple times during clashes in #Muridke amid pro-Palestinian protests and is in critical condition, not confirmed dead. pic.twitter.com/u8b5ni3wmr
— Zafar Bashir (@zafarbashir_) October 13, 2025
Vehicles were set on fire during the march
Another video went viral on social media in which several vehicles were seen burning, including a truck loaded with TLP supporters. This “Long March” started from the eastern part of Pakistan on Friday. Police had arrested more than 100 people in a demonstration on Saturday.
Demonstration outside the US Embassy
The aim of the protesters was to organize a rally in support of Palestine outside the US Embassy in Islamabad. The police took action to disperse the crowd, during which firing took place. According to the Associated Press, clashes began on Monday when protesters tried to remove containers placed on the streets by police. Supporters clashed with police in Lahore and later stopped in the nearby town of Muridke, then continued the march.
History and influence of TLP in politics
TLP emerged in Pakistan in the 2018 elections and made the defense of strict laws on insult to Islam its main political issue. Since then the party has often organized violent rallies, especially in foreign countries, in protest against the desecration of the Quran. Over the years, TLP has organized several pro-Palestinian rallies in Lahore and other cities.
Government and public reaction
Pakistan’s Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said that he did not understand why the TLP chose violence over peace in Gaza. Reactions on social media were mixed – some criticized the TLP, while others condemned the government for blocking major roads even before the march began.