The streets of Pakistan have become a scene of devastating violence following protests organized by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, opposing the Gaza Peace Plan. Reports confirm that TLP chief Sadiq Rizvi was shot three times during the unrest, and his brother, Anas Rizvi, was also injured. The protests, which began with an announcement to demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Islamabad, quickly escalated into widespread clashes between protesters and security forces. The human cost has been immense, with an estimated 250 TLP protesters and 48 police officers confirmed dead. The TLP’s march from Lahore to Islamabad was met with government roadblocks, including containers used to block the highway. Rizvi and his supporters reportedly established a protest camp on one of these containers, leading to a tense standoff. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government ordered the Pakistan Rangers and Punjab police to clear the highway by any means necessary, resulting in direct engagement and open firing. The situation quickly devolved into chaos, with significant casualties reported on both sides as authorities attempted to quell the demonstrations. This outbreak of violence in Pakistan occurs concurrently with international efforts to establish peace in Gaza, underscoring a complex global landscape and significant internal dissent within the nation.
