MURIDKE – A police operation to clear the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) long march in Muridke turned deadly on monday, resulting in the martyrdom of a senior police officer and multiple casualties on both sides.
According to police officials, security agencies moved to disperse protesters and clear the GT Road. During the operation, they faced intense resistance from TLP workers, who reportedly used stone-pelting, nailed sticks, and petrol bombs before opening indiscriminate fire.
The police stated that law enforcement “had to take limited action in defense of their lives.” In the ensuing clashes, SHO Factory Area Shahzad Jhumar was martyred. At least 48 police and Rangers personnel were injured, 17 of them from bullet wounds.
On the protesters’ side, three TLP workers and a passerby were killed, while eight civilians were injured. The anarchist group also set fire to 40 government and private vehicles.
Police arrested several workers, and the area was secured. All casualties have been shifted to a local hospital, and movement of locals near GT Road remains restricted.
Lahore: Lawyers Protest, Assault Police
In a related development in Lahore, lawyers affiliated with the TLP staged a strong protest outside the Aiwan-e-Adal against the Muridke operation. The protesters blocked traffic from the Civil Secretariat to PMG Chowk, chanting anti-government slogans.
The situation escalated when the protesting lawyers allegedly assaulted police personnel on duty, engaging in verbal abuse and physical slapping.
The Lahore Bar Association announced a strike in subordinate courts and demanded the immediate release of arrested TLP workers, better medical facilities for the injured, and action against those responsible for the firing that led to deaths.
Passengers Face Travel Nightmare
The ongoing protests and road closures have severely disrupted public transport across the region. A large number of passengers, stranded due to the closure of major roads and motorways, have turned to the railway system.
Trains traveling from Lahore to cities like Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, and Sialkot are experiencing extreme overcrowding. Passengers, including the elderly, women, and children, are being forced to travel standing up with their heavy luggage.
A railway administration spokesperson confirmed that additional coaches have been added to accommodate the rush, but the situation remains challenging.
Rawalpindi: Life Returns to Normal
In contrast, life in Rawalpindi district has returned to normal following a three-day holiday. All educational institutions have reopened, with attendance reported as complete in both government and private schools. The Matriculation Supplementary Examinations are also proceeding as scheduled.
Traffic is flowing normally on most highways and key roads, including Murree Road, Mall Road, and Peshawar Road. However, due to the closure of Faizabad, traffic is being diverted to alternative routes.
Islamabad: Court Proceedings Disrupted
The road closures have also impacted the judicial system in the capital. Most lawyers were unable to appear at the Islamabad High Court, leading to the adjournment of numerous pending cases.
The cause list for a division bench comprising Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan was cancelled.
The Islamabad High Court Bar Association issued a statement citing the difficulty for lawyers to reach the court due to blocked entrances to the city. The statement requested that judges refrain from issuing adverse orders against lawyers who are unable to appear for their cases.
Note: This is not final assessment, News is in updating mode.
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