A violent confrontation between police and Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protesters in Muridke turned deadly on Monday, leaving a police officer martyred and three TLP members killed. The incident has reignited concerns over public safety and political unrest, making Muridke protest violence the latest flashpoint in Pakistan’s tense law-and-order situation.
Early Morning Operation Turns Violent
The clashes erupted after police launched an early morning operation to disperse protesters camped at Muridke. According to officials, the operation began around 3 a.m. and lasted six hours. TLP workers had been staging a sit-in since Friday to protest in solidarity with Gaza and Palestine. Their plan was to march toward Islamabad and demonstrate outside the U.S. embassy.
Authorities had earlier blocked their route by digging trenches and placing containers. However, tensions escalated when the protesters refused to leave. By Monday morning, police and Rangers surrounded the camp and began clearing the area.
Casualties and Injuries Reported
Punjab police spokesperson Mubashir Hussain confirmed that Station House Officer (SHO) Shehzad Nawaz from Sheikhupura Factory Area was martyred during the clash. Three TLP protesters also lost their lives, while a passerby was killed amid the chaos.
Hussain added that 48 law enforcement officials were injured—17 by gunfire—and eight civilians were hurt. Injured personnel were shifted to hospitals for treatment. The police accused protesters of attacking them with stones, batons embedded with nails, and petrol bombs.
Read: Notorious Gangster Teefi Butt Killed in Gun Battle
TLP Accused of Violence and Arson
Authorities alleged that as police advanced to disperse the crowd, TLP members opened fire and set 40 government and private vehicles ablaze. Videos circulating on social media showed smoke billowing from burning trucks and vehicles, painting a grim picture of the unrest.
“Law enforcement had to take limited defensive action,” said Hussain, adding that several protesters had been arrested. The Punjab police continued to detain TLP activists across the province following Friday’s protest launch.
TLP Chief Safe, Confirms Police
Punjab Inspector General Dr. Usman Anwar clarified that TLP leader Saad Rizvi had neither been arrested nor injured during the operation. Despite rumors spreading online, police maintained that the leadership remained unharmed.
Authorities temporarily shut down major roads and motorways around Lahore and Islamabad, including M-2, M-3, and M-11, as panic spread among citizens. Schools in Islamabad also closed early due to security concerns.
Protests Spread to Karachi
The unrest quickly spread to Karachi, where TLP supporters held demonstrations in North Karachi and New Karachi. Police reported that protesters blocked main roads and hurled stones at officers, injuring two constables.
West-Zone DIG Irfan Ali Baloch stated that police responded with tear gas and arrested five TLP workers. “The situation is under control, and all roads have been reopened,” he said.
The Sindh Home Department later issued a statement urging Karachi residents to ignore rumors about chaos. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed police to stay alert and take strict action against anyone spreading misinformation or violating Section 144.
Government Calls It ‘Treason and Terrorism’
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari strongly condemned the violence, saying the government was bound to protect public lives and property. “Blocking roads and causing panic when peace is being restored in Gaza is unacceptable,” she said.
The Punjab government’s official X account labeled the violent acts as “open treason and terrorism.” It said, “Attacking police, destroying property, and looting do not qualify as protest. The TLP’s armed mobs are not above the law.” A video released with the post showed masked men damaging vehicles and attacking police.
Lawyers Condemn Police Action
Amid the turmoil, the Lahore Bar Association announced a strike to protest what it called “violence” against TLP workers. In a press release, the association said unarmed protesters were subjected to firing and mass arrests.
Similarly, the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) condemned the use of force, asserting that every citizen has the right to protest peacefully. “Firing at citizens under a democratic government is unacceptable,” the LHCBA stated. Both associations demanded legal action against those responsible and the release of detained protesters.
Panic in Twin Cities
In Islamabad, road closures around Faizabad Interchange caused massive traffic disruption. Only the Islamabad Expressway remained open, while mobile internet services slowed down in parts of Rawalpindi.
Residents described scenes of confusion as schools sent early dismissal notices citing “law and order” fears. “We got messages to pick up our children immediately,” said Ghulam Abbas, a parent from Margalla Town. “Everyone rushed out, and traffic jammed everywhere.”
Heightened Security Nationwide
Authorities in Punjab and Sindh have placed police and anti-riot squads on high alert. Security personnel continue to patrol sensitive areas, while surveillance teams monitor flashpoints for renewed unrest.
Despite government efforts to restore calm, tensions remain high following the Muridke protest violence. With one officer martyred, multiple deaths, and nationwide disruptions, the incident underscores Pakistan’s fragile balance between protest rights and state authority.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates
