Pakistan faces second day of disruptions as hardline group supporters march toward capital

Pakistan’s major cities remained on edge Saturday as supporters of the hardline Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) entered the second day of their march toward Islamabad, following deadly clashes with police in Lahore that have triggered sweeping security lockdowns and mobile network suspensions.

The group launched its protests in Lahore on Thursday, vowing to march on the U.S. embassy in Islamabad to denounce what it called Washington’s “biased role” in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after two years of war in Gaza.

According to AFP, TLP leaders said the demonstrations were initially planned to oppose Pakistan’s endorsement of the Gaza ceasefire but had since evolved into a show of solidarity with Palestinians.

In the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, life remained paralyzed for a second straight day as authorities sealed off major roads with shipping containers and blocked mobile networks to contain the protests. Long traffic jams and detours were reported across key highways leading into the capital.

Lahore — some 370 kilometers (230 miles) to the south — also saw heavy disruption as police clashed with demonstrators attempting to break through security barricades.

Islamabad on high alert

The Islamabad police have finalized what they described as a “comprehensive security plan” to prevent violence during the TLP’s Labaik Aqsa Million March.

More than 5,500 officers - including personnel from the Islamabad Police, Rangers, Frontier Corps (FC), and Punjab Police - have been deployed across the capital to maintain order.

The federal government said it had requisitioned an additional 500 Rangers, 600 Punjab Police officers, and 1,000 FC personnel to bolster security at entry and exit points of the city, where over 3,500 local officers are already stationed.

TLP reports casualties amid clashes

TLP spokesperson Allama Farooqul Hassan Qadri claimed that more than a dozen party members had been killed and several others seriously wounded in police firing in Lahore since Saturday morning.

He added that at least 20 injured protesters were in critical condition - figures that have not been independently verified by authorities so far.

With additional input from AFP