TLP Gaza protest sparks violence in Pakistan; security tightened, Red Zone sealed in Islamabad
Security forces fought with members of the far-right group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore and tense standoffs continued in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 10: Pakistani authorities have sealed the capital and suspended internet and mobile services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It comes ahead of an offshoot of the hardline Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan's (TLP) “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March” planned for Friday.
On Friday, the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, was on the brink of chaos. Thousands of members of the far-right group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan attempted to demonstrate against the killings in Gaza by marching to the US Embassy in Islamabad on Thursday. TLP men fought with the police in Lahore and at least two protestors were killed and many injured after their protest march was blocked by police.
US Embassy issues advisory urging citizens to avoid gatherings
The US Embassy in Islamabad and US consulates in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar have issued a security alert to American citizens that warns against "protests across Pakistan," advising them to "avoid large gatherings" and "remain aware of their surroundings.”
The US Embassy in Islamabad said, "These protests may cause traffic delays/detours due to closed or blocked roads in the vicinity of the demonstrations. The duration of the protests is unknown.We advise US citizens to avoid large gatherings and remain aware of their surroundings," on X.
The march was organised by the far-right TLP, the political offshoot of the religiopolitical group Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) in support of Palestinians. The target was to be the US embassy in Islamabad's Red Zone. It is a familiar area lined by significant government structures and diplomatic embassies. At the city’s perimeters, authorities placed containers, locking down the Red Zone ahead of time.
Internet, mobile services shut in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
The home ministry has asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to shut down internet and mobile services in twin cities from 12:00 midnight on Friday for 'an indefinite period'. It was approved by the country’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and comes as concerns over security following the TLP protest call grow.
Section 144 imposed; Red Zone sealed ahead of protests
The Punjab government has also imposed section-144 that bars conducting any sort of public meetings, gathering and demonstrations for one week in the whole province. All the main gates of Islamabad have been sealed and Section 144 is already in place in Rawalpindi till October 11.
Entrance into the Red Zone is totally sealed from Margalla Road and is restricted to authorized personnel only. In a notification issued by the office of Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hassan Waqar Cheema on Saturday, all kinds of protests, sit-ins, meetings, processions and rallies would remain banned in the district with immediate effect till Wednesday October 11 this year.
The use of loudspeakers will be banned during those 24 hours also, the city said. The Deputy Commissioner's notification states that at this time there is a danger of acts of violence occurring in the vicinity of sensitive and high-value installations.
Clashes in Lahore leave casualties as TLP march turns violent
The TLP has announced a such call to march to Islamabad, where thousands of protesters have camped outside the American mission. Several hotels have been evacuated and the heart of Islamabad – Red Zone, has become a fortress.
At least two of its members were killed in deadly clashes across Lahore, the TLP said, having sparked the security lockdown in Islamabad. But, the police said, only one person had died.
