TLP Chief Saad Rizvi Arrest in Pakistan: Saad Rizvi had threatened to launch demonstrations if the government does not expel the French ambassador.
Lahore Violent clashes have started in many parts of the country following the arrest of Tehreek-e-Labbaq Pakistan chief Saad Rizvi (TLP Chief Saad Rizvi). Thousands of Islamists have blocked national highways and railway lines. On Tuesday, two protesters and a policeman were killed in clashes with police at several places. This information was given by a senior police officer and local media. Senior police officer Ghulam Mohammad Dogar said that Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan chief Saad Rizvi was arrested on April 12, following which a policeman was killed in night-time clashes with his supporters. He said that 10 policemen were also injured in clashes in Shahdara town near Lahore.
There have been reports of two people being killed in Punjab province. Rizvi had threatened to launch demonstrations if the government did not expel the French ambassador for publishing a picture of Prophet Mohammed. After this, the police arrested them and violence started on Monday (April 12). According to Dogar, Rizvi was arrested for maintaining law and order, but after her detention, her Islamist supporters staged violent demonstrations in several cities of the country. The protesters blocked highways and roads in many cities.
Two days before the clashes, Rizvi in a statement told the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government to honor his party’s promise in February to expel the French ambassador before 20 April. However, the government says that it is only committed to discuss this subject in Parliament. Rizvi’s supporters protested this action and demonstrated in front of the party office. The interesting thing is that Prime Minister Imran Khan is also refraining from speaking much on this matter because he is afraid that radicals and extremists might not get agitated.
The reaction of Rizvi’s supporters against the arrest was so quick that the police could not open the main highways and roads in Lahore. Thousands of people are stranded with their vehicles. The clashes started in Lahore on Monday (April 12). After this, Rizvi’s supporters clashed with the police in Karachi city of Sindh province. They have also held demonstrations on the outskirts of Islamabad, due to which people have faced problems.
After the sudden demise of Rizvi’s father Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Saad Rizvi became the leader of Tehreek-e-Lab Pakistan Pakistan Party. Rizvi’s supporters have been pressurizing the government not to repeal the blasphemy law of the country. The party wants the government to boycott the French goods and bring the French ambassador out of the country under an agreement signed with Rizvi’s party in February. (Also from input AP)
