Pakistani authorities have taken the extraordinary step of indefinitely suspending mobile internet services in capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi amid fears of widespread unrest during the “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March” called by the far-right Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, or TLP. Besides internet blackouts, major roads were reportedly sealed. The Red Zone, home to government offices and foreign embassies, was barricaded. A ban is in place on public gatherings in Rawalpindi until Saturday (Oct 11). The harsh clampdown is a sign of the government’s deep fears about TLP’s ability to mobilise tens of thousands of followers and provoke violent confrontations with law enforcement, as it has done in the past.<h2>What is Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan?</h2>Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is an Islamist political and militant group founded in 2015 by the late cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi. Based on the Barelvi Sunni tradition, TLP is notorious for its extreme stance on Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. It has often taken uncompromising positions on issues perceived to offend Islam, often resorting to violence, lynching and mob justice.TLP first made national headlines in 2017, with massive protests that paralysed Islamabad for weeks. That movement was triggered by the government’s refusal to arrest a minister accused of blasphemy. The demonstration led to a political crisis, and the Pakistani military eventually mediated a deal to end it. This showed the group’s ability to mobilise thousands of supporters and disrupt public life.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/three-policemen-shot-dead-70-wounded-at-tlp-rally-in-pakistan-424577/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/three-policemen-shot-dead-70-wounded-at-tlp-rally-in-pakistan-424577/embed</a>Since then, TLP has led several violent protests, often resulting in deaths. In 2021, it held &nbsp;demonstrations against French and Danish embassies in protest against cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Those protests resulted in clashes that killed more than 20 people, mostly police officers. Due to its violent tactics and extremist rhetoric, the United States designated TLP a terrorist organisation in 2019. It was later delisted in 2021. Although the Pakistani government has banned TLP twice, it has struggled to contain its influence.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/tlp-to-end-sit-in-protest-as-pakistan-lifts-ban-on-group-427738">TLP to end sit-in protest as Pakistan lifts ban on group</a><h2>What is TLP protesting now?</h2>The new unrest is linked to the group’s vehement support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza, along with condemnation of US backing for Israel. TLP called for a “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March” on Friday to show solidarity with Palestinians and pressure the Pakistani government to take a harder stance.Clashes in Lahore on Thursday between TLP activists and police injured dozens, and over 150 TLP members were arrested across Pakistan. The government imposed Section 144, shut down internet access, and sealed off sensitive areas.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistans-ahmadiyya-minority-man-beaten-to-death-by-karachi-mob-at-place-of-worship-8977824">Pakistan's Ahmadiyya minority man beaten to death by Karachi mob at place of worship</a><h2>Why do Pakistani governments fear TLP?</h2>TLP protests in the past have paralysed cities. Their demonstrations often involve thousands of followers, many of whom are highly motivated by religious fervour and willing to confront security forces aggressively, leading to direct street battles. TLP-led protests can quickly turn deadly and destabilise urban centres, making them a severe public order challenge.The group is politically active too, having won seats in provincial elections. Outlawing or suppressing TLP is therefore not a simple option for the government. TLP’s base remains loyal despite the bans and restrictions. The current TLP leader, Saad Hussain Rizvi, the son of the founder, continues to rally supporters around anti-Western and pro-Palestinian issues.

Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is a potent and volatile Islamist force in Pakistan, known for its hardline religious ideology and history of violent protests. The government’s preemptive crackdown reflects fears of another destabilising outbreak of violence

Pakistani authorities have taken the extraordinary step of indefinitely suspending mobile internet services in capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi amid fears of widespread unrest during the “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March” called by the far-right Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, or TLP. Besides internet blackouts, major roads were reportedly sealed. The Red Zone, home to government offices and foreign embassies, was barricaded. A ban is in place on public gatherings in Rawalpindi until Saturday (Oct 11). The harsh clampdown is a sign of the government’s deep fears about TLP’s ability to mobilise tens of thousands of followers and provoke violent confrontations with law enforcement, as it has done in the past. What is Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan? Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is an Islamist political and militant group founded in 2015 by the late cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi. Based on the Barelvi Sunni tradition, TLP is notorious for its extreme stance on Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. It has often taken uncompromising positions on issues perceived to offend Islam, often resorting to violence, lynching and mob justice. TLP first made national headlines in 2017, with massive protests that paralysed Islamabad for weeks. That movement was triggered by the government’s refusal to arrest a minister accused of blasphemy. The demonstration led to a political crisis, and the Pakistani military eventually mediated a deal to end it. This showed the group’s ability to mobilise thousands of supporters and disrupt public life. https://www.wionews.com/videos/three-policemen-shot-dead-70-wounded-at-tlp-rally-in-pakistan-424577/embed Since then, TLP has led several violent protests, often resulting in deaths. In 2021, it held demonstrations against French and Danish embassies in protest against cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Those protests resulted in clashes that killed more than 20 people, mostly police officers. Due to its violent tactics and extremist rhetoric, the United States designated TLP a terrorist organisation in 2019. It was later delisted in 2021. Although the Pakistani government has banned TLP twice, it has struggled to contain its influence. Also read: TLP to end sit-in protest as Pakistan lifts ban on group What is TLP protesting now? The new unrest is linked to the group’s vehement support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza, along with condemnation of US backing for Israel. TLP called for a “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March” on Friday to show solidarity with Palestinians and pressure the Pakistani government to take a harder stance. Clashes in Lahore on Thursday between TLP activists and police injured dozens, and over 150 TLP members were arrested across Pakistan. The government imposed Section 144, shut down internet access, and sealed off sensitive areas. Also read: Pakistan's Ahmadiyya minority man beaten to death by Karachi mob at place of worship Why do Pakistani governments fear TLP? TLP protests in the past have paralysed cities. Their demonstrations often involve thousands of followers, many of whom are highly motivated by religious fervour and willing to confront security forces aggressively, leading to direct street battles. TLP-led protests can quickly turn deadly and destabilise urban centres, making them a severe public order challenge. The group is politically active too, having won seats in provincial elections. Outlawing or suppressing TLP is therefore not a simple option for the government. TLP’s base remains loyal despite the bans and restrictions. The current TLP leader, Saad Hussain Rizvi, the son of the founder, continues to rally supporters around anti-Western and pro-Palestinian issues.

Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is a potent and volatile Islamist force in Pakistan, known for its hardline religious ideology and history of violent protests. The government’s preemptive crackdown reflects fears of another destabilising outbreak of violence

What is Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan? Why Pakistan government fears its protests and why it imposed an internet ban

The Pakistan government has released more than 800 workers of the banned party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), two days after reaching a deal with the group to end nearly two weeks of violent protests.

Pakistan government releases 800 TLP workers following agreement

Pakistan’s government has reached an agreement with the outlawed far-right Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, putting an end to weeks-long protest that resulted in violent clashes.

TLP agrees to end weeks-long violent protest in Pakistan

At least three policemen and several were injured during violent clashes between Pakistani security forces and a right-wing group in the eastern city of Lahore on Friday. This comes after the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party began its "long march" from the city to the capital Islamabad.

Pakistan: TLP members damage public property, clash with security forces in Lahore

Pakistan: Thousands from TLP Islamist party gather in Lahore for protest, at least 3 policemen killed

For the past two days, extremists have been camping outside Pakistan's capital Islamabad holding the entire country hostage.

They are members of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-islamist-group-calls-off-protests-over-mohammads-cartoons-343661">Tehreek-e-Labbaik </a>which is a Far-Right Islamic political party. However, after two days of drama, the protest ended with the Pakistani government bowing down to extremists once again.

A deal has been signed and the radicals got what they wanted. An agreement was signed between the Tehreek-e-Labbaik and the Pakistan government with members of the Imran Khan cabinet being the signatories to the deal.

Pakistan's interior minister Brigadier R Ijaz Shah signed the deal and religious affairs minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri was the other signatory alongside the commissioner of Islamabad police and three members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik.

Pakistan government has promised to enact legislation which will ultimately lead to the expulsion of the French ambassador. Also, the Pakistan government has promised it won't send an ambassador to France.

Also, French products will be boycotted at the government level in Pakistan. Tehreek-e-Labbaik seems to have got its every wish, not just this, it also managed to secure the release of its arrested workers.

Once again, the Pakistani government has bowed down before the Islamists. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik is the same group that held Pakistan hostage when Asia Bibi was acquitted with their protests across major cities in Pakistan, they didn't allow her release. Ultimately, Asia Bibi and her family had to flee the country.

Back then, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had dared to warn them. Now, however, he seems to have played a part in fueling the chaos on Pakistan's streets by giving moral legitimacy to the Islamists through the attacks against France and its President Emmanuel Macron.

Tehreek-e-Labbaik calls itself the guardian of Prophet Mohammad's honour. It considers itself the custodian of Pakistan's infamous blasphemy laws. When France said it will defend the Prophet's cartoons, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik was outraged even when the Wuhan virus is raging in Pakistan, they took to the streets.

The last two days have been difficult for those who live in the areas affected by the protest, for almost two days, the Islamists virtually besieged Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It led to the disruption of mobile networks, the internet was shut down and routes towards Islamabad had to be closed. Now, Imran's ministers have struck a deal with the radicals. It exposes how Imran Khan shot himself in the foot by criticising the French president.

There are two clear takeaways: First, Imran Khan's words gave legitimacy to the protest by the Islamists, second, the protest and the concessions by Imran Khan show how weak his government really is and how fundamentalists can capture the capital - dictate policymaking in Islamabad and even decide the faith of foreign ambassadors.

The Pakistan government plans to bring in the legislation to evict the French envoy in two to three months while religion has dictated policymaking in Pakistan for many years now these protests show the power fundamentalists in the country hold when it comes to dictating Pakistan's political agenda.

For the past two days, extremists have been camping outside Pakistan's capital Islamabad holding the entire country hostage. They are members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik which is a Far-Right Islamic political party.

For the past two days, extremists have been camping outside Pakistan's capital Islamabad holding the entire country hostage. They are members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik which is a Far-Right Islamic political party. However, after two days of drama, the protest ended with the Pakistani government bowing down to extremists once again. A deal has been signed and the radicals got what they wanted. An agreement was signed between the Tehreek-e-Labbaik and the Pakistan government with members of the Imran Khan cabinet being the signatories to the deal. Pakistan's interior minister Brigadier R Ijaz Shah signed the deal and religious affairs minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri was the other signatory alongside the commissioner of Islamabad police and three members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik. Pakistan government has promised to enact legislation which will ultimately lead to the expulsion of the French ambassador. Also, the Pakistan government has promised it won't send an ambassador to France. Also, French products will be boycotted at the government level in Pakistan. Tehreek-e-Labbaik seems to have got its every wish, not just this, it also managed to secure the release of its arrested workers. Once again, the Pakistani government has bowed down before the Islamists. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik is the same group that held Pakistan hostage when Asia Bibi was acquitted with their protests across major cities in Pakistan, they didn't allow her release. Ultimately, Asia Bibi and her family had to flee the country. Back then, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had dared to warn them. Now, however, he seems to have played a part in fueling the chaos on Pakistan's streets by giving moral legitimacy to the Islamists through the attacks against France and its President Emmanuel Macron. Tehreek-e-Labbaik calls itself the guardian of Prophet Mohammad's honour. It considers itself the custodian of Pakistan's infamous blasphemy laws. When France said it will defend the Prophet's cartoons, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik was outraged even when the Wuhan virus is raging in Pakistan, they took to the streets. The last two days have been difficult for those who live in the areas affected by the protest, for almost two days, the Islamists virtually besieged Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It led to the disruption of mobile networks, the internet was shut down and routes towards Islamabad had to be closed. Now, Imran's ministers have struck a deal with the radicals. It exposes how Imran Khan shot himself in the foot by criticising the French president. There are two clear takeaways: First, Imran Khan's words gave legitimacy to the protest by the Islamists, second, the protest and the concessions by Imran Khan show how weak his government really is and how fundamentalists can capture the capital - dictate policymaking in Islamabad and even decide the faith of foreign ambassadors. The Pakistan government plans to bring in the legislation to evict the French envoy in two to three months while religion has dictated policymaking in Pakistan for many years now these protests show the power fundamentalists in the country hold when it comes to dictating Pakistan's political agenda.

After Islamists protest, Pak government set to expel French ambassador

A Pakistani court on Tuesday granted bail to the leader of an ultra-right Islamist group arrested last year after his supporters shut down cities and threatened judges following the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy.&nbsp;

The leader of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) party, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and his deputy, Pir Afzal Qadri, were arrested last year and charged with inciting terrorism and sedition after protesting against the acquittal of Asia Bibi who had spent eight years on death row on blasphemy charges.

"Today, the Lahore High Court has granted bail to Rizvi and Qadri in the cases of terrorism, sedition and inciting for violence," TLP lawyer Muhammad Arif Awan told Reuters.&nbsp;

Bibi left for Canada last week after living at an undisclosed location inside Pakistan since her acquittal. Hardline Islamists in Pakistan had rallied against her being allowed to leave and called for her to be killed.&nbsp;

Rizvi`s November arrest led to clashes between police and his supporters in the eastern city of Lahore, wounding five people in violence authorities say was instigated by the TLP leader after he called on his faithful to take to the streets if he was arrested.&nbsp;

The two men are due to be released on Wednesday.

TLP leaders had threatened the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Bibi, urging their cooks and servants to kill them, and called for the overthrow of the army chief, an unthinkable comment in Pakistan where the military is rarely criticized in public and the army normally does not tolerate such dissent.

The TLP, whose main focus is protecting Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws, was founded out of a movement supporting a bodyguard who assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer for advocating for Bibi in 2011.

Blasphemy is a deeply emotive issue in Pakistan’s staunchly religious society, and officials have been unnerved by how much support Rizvi’s TLP has garnered across the country in the two years since the group entered mainstream politics.

A Pakistani court on Tuesday granted bail to the leader of an ultra-right Islamist group arrested last year after his supporters shut down cities and threatened judges following the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy.

A Pakistani court on Tuesday granted bail to the leader of an ultra-right Islamist group arrested last year after his supporters shut down cities and threatened judges following the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. The leader of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) party, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and his deputy, Pir Afzal Qadri, were arrested last year and charged with inciting terrorism and sedition after protesting against the acquittal of Asia Bibi who had spent eight years on death row on blasphemy charges. "Today, the Lahore High Court has granted bail to Rizvi and Qadri in the cases of terrorism, sedition and inciting for violence," TLP lawyer Muhammad Arif Awan told Reuters. Bibi left for Canada last week after living at an undisclosed location inside Pakistan since her acquittal. Hardline Islamists in Pakistan had rallied against her being allowed to leave and called for her to be killed. Rizvi`s November arrest led to clashes between police and his supporters in the eastern city of Lahore, wounding five people in violence authorities say was instigated by the TLP leader after he called on his faithful to take to the streets if he was arrested. The two men are due to be released on Wednesday. TLP leaders had threatened the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Bibi, urging their cooks and servants to kill them, and called for the overthrow of the army chief, an unthinkable comment in Pakistan where the military is rarely criticized in public and the army normally does not tolerate such dissent. The TLP, whose main focus is protecting Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws, was founded out of a movement supporting a bodyguard who assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer for advocating for Bibi in 2011. Blasphemy is a deeply emotive issue in Pakistan’s staunchly religious society, and officials have been unnerved by how much support Rizvi’s TLP has garnered across the country in the two years since the group entered mainstream politics.

Protestors who opposed Asia Bibi's acquittal get bail 

Pakistan's government on Saturday announced it will press terrorism and sedition charges against leaders of a hardline Islamist group that staged recent protests across the country.

The leader of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) party, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and several senior figures were detained last month after they shut down major cities in protest at the acquittal of a Christian woman who had spent eight years on death row on blasphemy charges.

One of the TLP co-founders called for the killing of the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Asia Bibi, as well as the overthrow of the government and the powerful army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Rizvi had been "charged under sections of sedition and terrorism" in a police station in the eastern city of Lahore. Three other senior TLP figures are facing the same charges.

"Today we have decided to take legal action against the TLP leadership," Chaudhry told a press conference.

"All those who were directly involved in destroying property, who misbehaved with women, who set fire to buses, are being charged under laws of terrorism at different police stations."

The move represents a hardening of the authorities' stance towards the group, which in late 2017 paralysed the capital Islamabad for several weeks and clashed with the police in deadly protests.

Concessions

In 2017 and last month TLP members called off protests after negotiating with the military and reaching a deal with the government, which made many concessions to appease the group. When Rizvi was finally detained, authorities said he was not arrested, but merely put in "protective custody".

Chaudhry said more than 3,000 TLP members were taken into protective custody in the wake of the protests.

The TLP, whose main focus is protecting Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws, was founded out of a movement supporting a bodyguard who assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer for advocating for Bibi in 2011.

Blasphemy is a deeply emotive issue in Pakistan's staunchly religious society, and officials have been unnerved by how much support Rizvi's TLP has garnered across the country in the two years since the group entered mainstream politics.

Information Minister Chaudhry said Rizvi's deputy, Afzal Qadri, was also charged over terrorism and sedition, along with senior TLP leaders Inyatul Haq Shah and Hafiz Farooq ul Hassan.

Qadri shocked many Pakistanis last month when he called for the overthrow of the army chief, an unthinkable comment in Pakistan where the military is rarely criticised in public and the army normally does not tolerate such dissent.

"Sedition has a sentence of life imprisonment, they can face life imprisonment. All the charges will be submitted before courts," Chaudhry said.

Pakistan's government on Saturday announced it will press terrorism and sedition charges against leaders of a hardline Islamist group that staged recent protests across the country.

Pakistan's government on Saturday announced it will press terrorism and sedition charges against leaders of a hardline Islamist group that staged recent protests across the country. The leader of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) party, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and several senior figures were detained last month after they shut down major cities in protest at the acquittal of a Christian woman who had spent eight years on death row on blasphemy charges. One of the TLP co-founders called for the killing of the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Asia Bibi, as well as the overthrow of the government and the powerful army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Rizvi had been "charged under sections of sedition and terrorism" in a police station in the eastern city of Lahore. Three other senior TLP figures are facing the same charges. "Today we have decided to take legal action against the TLP leadership," Chaudhry told a press conference. "All those who were directly involved in destroying property, who misbehaved with women, who set fire to buses, are being charged under laws of terrorism at different police stations." The move represents a hardening of the authorities' stance towards the group, which in late 2017 paralysed the capital Islamabad for several weeks and clashed with the police in deadly protests. Concessions In 2017 and last month TLP members called off protests after negotiating with the military and reaching a deal with the government, which made many concessions to appease the group. When Rizvi was finally detained, authorities said he was not arrested, but merely put in "protective custody". Chaudhry said more than 3,000 TLP members were taken into protective custody in the wake of the protests. The TLP, whose main focus is protecting Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws, was founded out of a movement supporting a bodyguard who assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer for advocating for Bibi in 2011. Blasphemy is a deeply emotive issue in Pakistan's staunchly religious society, and officials have been unnerved by how much support Rizvi's TLP has garnered across the country in the two years since the group entered mainstream politics. Information Minister Chaudhry said Rizvi's deputy, Afzal Qadri, was also charged over terrorism and sedition, along with senior TLP leaders Inyatul Haq Shah and Hafiz Farooq ul Hassan. Qadri shocked many Pakistanis last month when he called for the overthrow of the army chief, an unthinkable comment in Pakistan where the military is rarely criticised in public and the army normally does not tolerate such dissent. "Sedition has a sentence of life imprisonment, they can face life imprisonment. All the charges will be submitted before courts," Chaudhry said.

Pakistan government to press terrorism, sedition charges against Tehreek-e-Labbaik leader