Violent TLP protests in Lahore leave 11 dead: Who is Saad Rizvi and why Pakistan fears Tehreek-e-Labbaik?

Who is Saad Rizvi?

Saad Rizvi, the second Ameer of TLP, has positioned himself as a disruptive ideological force in Pakistan’s politics. Previously serving as the party’s Deputy Secretary-General, he became the leader after the death of his father, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, in November 2020.

Under Saad Rizvi, TLP has taken a hardline stance against Israel and expressed strong support for Palestine, aligning with Hamas and urging the Pakistani government to provide more aid to Gaza. During a 2024 sit-in protest in Faizabad, Rizvi called for boycotts of Israeli products, labeled Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu a terrorist, and demanded humanitarian aid for Gaza.

About Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)

Formed in 2015 by cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, TLP is a far-right religious party following the Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam. The party calls for the death penalty for those accused of blasphemy and has a history of violent protests against attempts to modify Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. TLP has also been involved in attacks on police officers and advocated for the execution of Supreme Court justices.

The party aims to implement Sharia law through gradual legal and political means. In the 2018 general elections, TLP received 2.13 million votes, ranking as the fifth most popular party in Pakistan. In the 2024 elections, it retained the fifth position with 2.89 million votes.

TLP members have often targeted minority groups, particularly Ahmadiyyas, the country’s largest religious minority. In the most recent incident, 25 Ahmadiyyas in Karachi were placed in protective custody after TLP activists disrupted their Friday prayers.

Experts note that the TLP has skillfully leveraged emotive issues, including the “Finality of Prophethood” and cartoons of the Prophet, helping Rizvi consolidate power after his father’s death. The party’s rise has been facilitated by military support, particularly during the tenure of General Bajwa, allowing TLP to challenge civilian governments and influence political outcomes.

“The chaos that we see today is the inevitable outcome of decades of weaponising religion. Pakistan is now imploding under the weight of its own contradictions,” said Amjad Ayub Mirza, a human rights activist from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), commenting on the recent TLP unrest.

Why TLP is protesting

The current unrest is tied to TLP’s support for Palestine and opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza, alongside condemnation of US support for Israel. The party organized a “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March” to pressure the Pakistani government to adopt a stronger stance on Gaza.

Clashes between TLP activists and police in Lahore on Thursday injured dozens, while over 150 TLP members were arrested nationwide. Authorities imposed Section 144, suspended internet access, and sealed off sensitive areas, severely affecting daily life.

The unrest escalated after the arrest of senior TLP leaders, including Naeem Chatha, in Islamabad, prompting the party to announce a major sit-in in the capital. Thousands of followers from Punjab and other provinces are expected to join the protest, which aims to march toward the US Embassy in Islamabad following Friday prayers on October 10.