Pakistan cops take 'extraordinary measures' to keep 'mercenary-like' extremist outfit from unleashing anti-Gaza stir

Saad Rizvi (C), leader of the hardliner Tehreek e Labbaik Pakistan (AFP)

Lahore is in the grip of tensions for the last two days after an intense clash between policemen and members of extremist group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) left several people injured, including cops.

The clashes erupted earlier this week after TLP members thwarted attempts by cops to arrest the outfit's hardliner chief Saad Rizvi following calls for an anti-Israel demonstration outside US embassy in Islamabad.

According to a report in Dawn, police have adopted unconventional methods to block TLP protesters, including placing shipping containers and sealing the city’s entry and exit points.

Even in Islamabad, the administration has placed containers at the entry points to keep protesters from entering the capital.

Earlier, as many as 100 TLP supporters were rounded up in Islamabad.

Armed with stones, clubs and iron rods, the agitated TLP supporters had attacked security personnel earlier when they tried to arrest Rizvi.

Following clashes with the Lahore police, the group called its supporters to gather in Lahore for a "final call" on Friday, Dawn reported.

This prompted cops to take "extraordinary measures" to prevent the protests from turning violent. Dawn reported that the blockade has also affected locals in some densely populated areas.

The report said that despite the added security measures, the situation in the city remained tense, especially in the Multan Road area. On Thursday too, clashes were reported between police and TLP members when the protests turned violent again. The religious outfit ransacked shops and damaged vehicles during the clashes.

Pakistan minister of state for interior Talal Chaudhry on Thursday lashed out at TLP of attempting to "spread unrest and anarchy" in the country under the garb of a so-called ‘Gaza March’.

"Government had always facilitated peaceful protests under legal procedures and standard operating protocols, but the TLP neither sought permission nor assured compliance with any law. Was the TLP planning a protest or plotting violence? I will show you the difference,” he was quoted as saying by Dawn.

He described the extremist outfit as a “mercenary-like group” operating under the garb of religion.“It was shameful that you were spreading blatant lies and giving false statements on social media regarding the deaths of your workers. Does our faith allow such things?” the minister added.

Saad Rizvi, the leader of TLP, is a hardline Islamist political figure known for his stance on issues related to blasphemy and the defence of the Prophet Muhammad.

Rizvi had once sparked controversy when he urged Pakistanis to “take up arms” against India. Rizvi declared that “your desi bandook will do the wonders that their rifles can't,” calling on people to be ready to fight with faith and intent rather than fear India’s military strength.