Pakistan’s security agency arrested the workers of hardline religious political organization Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) at midnight on Tuesday following its call for a protest in Islamabad. The arrested workers were produced before the anti-terrorism court, which remanded them in police custody for 10 days for further investigations.
Police accused these two suspects of transporting dangerous items for a violent protest in a rally of a religious political party when they were arrested by Chaklala police. Sticks, catapults, knives, 2660 glass balls, and 24 packets of salt were recovered from their possession.
A case was registered under the provisions of terrorism and criminal conspiracy. He said the police have seized 54 sticks, 35 catapults, knives, glass balls, and packets of salt. The case has been registered under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Section 120B. The recovered items were to be distributed among workers of the religious political party in case they were attacked by the police.
Crackdown on TLP intensified
According to the FIR lodged by the Sub-Inspector of Chaklala Police Station, he and his subordinates were on night duty at Milad Chowk Railway Scheme 9 when they spotted a suspicious white car with two occupants signaling to stop. The suspects have been identified. Police say that they tried to stop the vehicle, but when the driver attempted to turn the vehicle back, the police foiled the attempt and stopped the car.
During the search, police recovered these items. The suspects have been identified as Syed Wahab Ali and Muhammad Nazeer Ali.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Police have heightened the security across the city to prevent any untoward situation following Tehreek-e-Labbaik’s announcement of a march towards Islamabad on October 10. CPO Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani presided over a high-level meeting to assess the prevailing law and order situation.
The police have warned that no road blockades, disruptions to traffic or violent activities under the pretext of protest will be tolerated. Ahead of the protest, the Islamabad administration has shifted the shipping containers at the Fazabad Interchange, a site known for previous TLP sit-ins.
Islamabad’s entry and exit points could be sealed any time after Thursday evening, the sources said. They added that the red zone will be fully sealed, and entry or exit will only be permitted for authorized individuals via Margala Road.
People are coming on the roads to express solidarity with Palestinians all over the world. Why there is restriction in Lahore? One can differ with TLP on many issues but they have the right to speak in support of Palestinians. Use of force is unnecessary. https://t.co/dcGLPH2gQY
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) October 9, 2025
Authorities are also considering suspending mobile services in Islamabad as part of security measures, sources added. Others have already been issued to vacate hotels along Murree Road and in nearby areas. Rawalpindi Police have also initiated a crackdown on TLP workers in different parts of the city, during which several activists have been arrested.
Read more: Gandapur Out, Sohail Afridi In: Did Aleema Khan & Bushra Bibi Pick Him?
Lahore Plunges Into Chaos
Meanwhile, Lahore City has also been affected by the late-night crackdown started by police on Wednesday night on the headquarters of Tehreek-e-Taliban, Pakistan, in a bid to arrest its chief, Saad Rizvi. At least three police constables were reportedly injured in clashes with enraged TLP supporters who attacked law enforcers with stones and iron rods. Police responded with tear gas shelling, turning Multan Road into a battleground.
قائدین اور کارکنان کے نام پیغام!
9 اکتوبر 2025 pic.twitter.com/H838X1Melg— Mufti Munib ur Rehman (@MuniburRehman55) October 9, 2025
Videos shared on social media, which could not be immediately verified, showed TLP activists running as well as being fired at with tear gas. Other clips show TLP activists holding up spent bullet casings and tear gas shells. The crackdown on TLP’s central office came after the group announced plans for massive anti-Israel demonstrations outside the US Embassy in the Federal Capital on Friday.
In anticipation of the protests, the Islamabad administration has also begun placing a statement issued by the TLP in the early hours of Thursday, claiming a number of their workers had been arrested, condemning raids on their supporters’ homes. Police claimed that the group had called a large number of supporters to Lahore who had taken up positions in temporary shelters. These elements have attacked police parties, and they moved in to raid the TLP main office. Armed with stones, clubs, and iron rods, the enraged TLP men managed to push the police back.