LAHORE, Pakistan(AP) — A pro-Palestinian march in Pakistan turned deadly on Monday as clashes between thousands of demonstrators and police in Lahore resulted in the death of at least one police officer and injuries to dozens of others, according to authorities and witnesses. The violence erupted during a large-scale protest organized by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a hardline religious political party, as supporters attempted to march from Lahore to Islamabad to rally outside the U.S. Embassy.
Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar reported that protesters opened fire on law enforcement, killing one officer and wounding several others. The TLP, however, claimed that many of its supporters were also killed or injured, though specific casualty figures among demonstrators remain unconfirmed by authorities. Videos circulated by the TLP showed burning vehicles, including a truck carrying party officials, as the so-called “long march,” which began Friday in eastern Pakistan, descended into chaos.
The latest violence flared when protesters attempted to clear shipping containers used by police to block roads in Lahore. After clashes in the city, demonstrators regrouped in the nearby town of Muridke before continuing their march. Early Monday, a video released by TLP showed party leader Saad Rizvi, who was among the wounded, urging security forces to cease firing and expressing willingness to negotiate amid audible gunfire.
Police operations to disperse the crowd intensified as protesters approached Islamabad, with authorities reporting that officers came under fire during efforts to break up the rally. More than 100 people were arrested during related protests on Saturday, police said. The U.S. Embassy had issued a security alert last week, warning of potential disruptions and advising American citizens to exercise caution.
The TLP, known for its disruptive and sometimes violent protests, has sparked polarized reactions online. Some Pakistanis criticized the government for preemptively blocking major roads, accusing authorities of overreacting, while others questioned the TLP’s resort to violence. Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry expressed dismay over the weekend, questioning why the TLP did not pursue peaceful demonstrations in support of Gaza.
The TLP rose to prominence in Pakistan’s 2018 elections by championing the country’s controversial blasphemy law, which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam. In recent years, the party has organized pro-Palestinian rallies in Lahore and other cities, often targeting perceived desecrations of Islamic values abroad. Monday’s march aimed to show solidarity with Palestinians but was met with a heavy police response, escalating tensions in the region.
