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2025 Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan protests

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Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March
Part of Gaza war protests
Date9 October 2025 - ongoing
Location
Lahore to Muridke to Islamabad–Rawalpindi, Pakistan
GoalsSolidarity with Palestinians amid Gaza war; protest march to U.S. Embassy;
MethodsRoad blockades; sit-ins; clashes; internet and communications shutdown;
StatusOngoing / Blocked
Parties
Lead figures

Saad Hussain Rizvi  (WIA)
Syed Zaheer Ul Hasan
Syed Ahmed Bukhari †

Number
8,000–10,000 protestors[1]
5,500 Police[2]
1,000 Federal Constabulary
500 Rangers
Casualties and losses
3 TLP protestors killed (Police claim)[3]
11 TLP protestors killed (TLP claim)[4]
100–700 arrested[1]
1 Police SHO killed[3]
48–112 police injured[3]
1 bystander killed[5]
40 government & private vehicles set on fire[3]

Starting on 9 October 2025, the Islamist political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) launched a protest march from Lahore and Faisalabad toward Islamabad under the banner of the Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March. The movement called for a rally outside the US Embassy in Islamabad in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza War. The planned march triggered a major security response: authorities imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi to restrict public gatherings, suspended 3G/4G mobile data services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and placed shipping containers alongside a heavy police deployment to seal off the Red Zone around the capital. Clashes erupted in Lahore when Punjab Police raided the TLP headquarters on Multan Road to arrest party leader Saad Rizvi. Police used tear gas and live fire to disperse demonstrators. According to reports, at least 11 TLP workers were killed and dozens more were injured during the live fire and shelling by the police.[6] The government maintained that the TLP had not obtained the required permission for the march, attributing the unrest to internal party disputes.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Background

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The group has used marches and protests in the past, chanting slogans such as "Labbayk Ya Aqsa" (which roughly translates to "I am here for Al-Aqsa") and "Pro-Palestinian." The "Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March" continues this tradition. Sources reported that the TLP leadership used inflammatory speeches and rhetoric, which authorities deemed abusive or provocative. That leading the way in measures predicting widespread unrest, authorities imposed Section 144 (ban on assemblies), suspended mobile internet (3G/4G) services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, placed shipping containers to block roads leading to the capital, and detained TLP activists.[9][14][10][8]

Timeline

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October 8–9: Preparations intensified ahead of the march. Authorities in Rawalpindi imposed Section 144, prohibiting public gatherings, and detained around 117 key TLP activists. Containers were placed near the Faizabad Interchange and other major routes, while security was tightened across the twin cities.[14]

October 9–10: Mobile internet services (3G/4G) were suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi from midnight to 10 pm on October 9.[9]

October 9 (Lahore): Clashes erupted in Lahore after a police raid on the TLP headquarters aimed at arresting its leader, Saad Rizvi. TLP supporters responded with stone pelting and iron rods, prompting police to use tear gas. At least three policemen were injured.[15]

October 10: The march was scheduled for October 10, 2025. Authorities had already closed major roads and sealed off the Red Zone around Islamabad.[10]

October 11: TLP supporters regrouped near Muridke and announced their intent to continue the march toward Islamabad. Clashes were reported along the GT Road corridor, leaving several injured. Police detained over 100 activists following the unrest.[16]

October 12: The standoff escalated as protesters camped in Muridke. According to officials, dozens of police officers were injured, while TLP claimed multiple fatalities among its members. The Punjab government deployed additional police and Rangers, and roads toward Islamabad remained sealed.[17][18]

October 13: Violence intensified as police moved to disperse a TLP-led rally near Lahore. At least five people, including a police officer, were killed during the clashes, and dozens were injured.[19][20][21]

References

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  1. ^ a b Dogar, Babar (11 October 2025). "Arrests at pro-Palestinian protest after violence flares in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore". AP News.
  2. ^ "TLP protest". Business Recorder. 12 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Gabol, Imran; Ali, Kaibe; Chaudhry, Asif (13 October 2025). "Police say protesters dispersed in Muridke; SHO martyred, 3 TLP workers killed in clash". Dawn.
  4. ^ Khawaja, Usama Iqbal (11 October 2025). "Nearly 100 police injured in clashes as Tehreek-e-Labbaik march heads toward Islamabad". Arab News.
  5. ^ Bukhari, Mubasher (13 October 2025). "Clashes in an anti-Israel rally in Pakistan kill five, police say". Reuters.
  6. ^ "Anti-Israel protests rock Pakistan: Police fire on Gaza protesters - what we know so far about violence that killed 11 in 3 days". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Violence erupts in eastern Pakistan as Islamists try to march on capital for pro-Palestinian rally". Associated Press News.
  8. ^ a b "Clashes break out in Lahore after raid on TLP HQ goes awry".
  9. ^ a b c "TLP protest: 3G, 4G services suspended in Islamabad, Pindi".
  10. ^ a b c "Security tightened in Islamabad ahead of possible TLP march".
  11. ^ "Islamabad moves to thwart TLP protest".
  12. ^ "Efforts to keep TLP contained keep Lahore on edge".
  13. ^ "'Labbaik Al-Aqsa' march against Israel on Friday, October 10, police crackdown on Lahore TLP center".
  14. ^ a b "Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of TLP rally".
  15. ^ "Clashes break out in Lahore after raid on TLP HQ goes awry". Dawn. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  16. ^ "TLP march turns violent as clashes erupt with police in Lahore". The Tribune India. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  17. ^ "Pakistan TLP march turns violent, several killed in clashes". India Today. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Twin cities remain under lockdown as TLP protest enters third day". The News International. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  19. ^ Bukhari, Mubasher. "Clashes in an anti-Israel rally in Pakistan kill five, police say". Reuters. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Pakistan police officer among five killed as authorities disperse pro-Palestinian march". Associated Press. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  21. ^ "Violence erupts in eastern Pakistan as Islamists try to march on capital for pro-Palestinian rally". Associated Press. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
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