Thousands march, clashes erupt, and cities go under lockdown as Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Labbaik rallies for Palestine.
The streets of Lahore echoed with chants of “Free Palestine!” this week as thousands of supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) began their march toward Islamabad. What started as a religious and humanitarian show of solidarity with Gaza has now turned into one of Pakistan’s most significant street movements in 2025.The protest quickly escalated — roads sealed, mobile networks cut off, and heavy police deployment across major cities. The government’s efforts to contain the situation have drawn both local and international attention, putting Pakistan at the center of a global conversation about freedom, religion, and political expression.
The TLP, known for its street power and religious activism, announced the rally in support of Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza. Their demand was simple yet powerful — the Pakistani government should cut diplomatic ties with Israel’s allies and take a stronger stance on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
According to TLP leadership, this movement symbolizes Muslim unity and Pakistan’s duty to speak out for oppressed Palestinians. However, the government fears that these demonstrations could spiral into violent confrontations or disrupt national security.
What began as a peaceful rally soon took a violent turn. On October 10, 2025, thousands of TLP supporters gathered in Lahore, intending to march to Islamabad. Police tried to stop the protesters using barricades and tear gas, but the crowd pushed forward.
Eyewitnesses reported intense clashes near Shahdara and Ravi Bridge. Protesters hurled stones, while police used baton charges and rubber bullets to disperse them.According to official sources:
As the march moved closer to the capital, the government declared Section 144 — banning public gatherings in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Authorities took major security measures to prevent the protesters from reaching the Red Zone or U.S. Embassy area.
Thousands of Rangers, police, and Frontier Corps were deployed across Punjab to prevent escalation. Armored vehicles and anti-riot units patrolled sensitive areas throughout the night.
The Interior Ministry of Pakistan stated that the government respects the right to peaceful protest but would not allow anyone to breach law and order.
Officials accused the TLP of exploiting the Palestine issue for political mileage and warned against “any attempt to destabilize the state under the cover of religion.
”Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged citizens to avoid protest areas and assured that the government is “working to protect both public life and national integrity.”
This protest is not just a domestic issue. It reflects Pakistan’s growing public frustration with global silence over Gaza.
From London to Jakarta, pro-Palestinian rallies are surging, but Pakistan’s demonstrations stand out for their sheer scale and religious intensity. Experts say Pakistan’s internal protests highlight a broader geopolitical tension — balancing global alliances while responding to public emotions.
For global readers, this moment showcases how deeply the Palestinian cause resonates in the Muslim world and how it continues to shape political narratives across South Asia.
The protests disrupted everyday routines across multiple cities:
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce reported an estimated Rs. 2 billion loss in a single day due to road closures and transport disruptions.
Social media is flooded with divided opinions.
Supporters hail the protest as a moral stand for Gaza, praising TLP for “defending Muslim unity.” Critics, however, argue that disrupting cities and endangering public safety is not the right way to express solidarity.
Platforms like X (Twitter) and Facebook saw hashtags trending such as:
The TLP protest is a reminder that in Pakistan, faith and politics are deeply intertwined. While the cause for Gaza is widely supported, the method of protest raises questions about peaceful activism, governance, and public safety.
The coming days will be crucial. Whether the government manages to contain the unrest or negotiates with protest leaders will shape Pakistan’s political stability — and perhaps its global image — in the near future.
From Lahore’s crowded streets to Islamabad’s barricaded boulevards, Pakistan’s people have once again proven their emotional connection with the Palestinian struggle.
While chaos and confrontation dominate the headlines, at its core lies a universal truth — a nation standing up for justice beyond its borders. As tensions ease, Pakistan must find a balance between freedom of expression and law and order, ensuring that solidarity never turns into suffering.
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TLP launched the protest to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and to urge Pakistan’s government to take stronger diplomatic action against Israel’s allies.
Major cities including Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi faced road closures, metro service suspensions, and mobile internet blackouts.
The protest started peacefully but turned violent after clashes between police and protesters near Shahdara and Ravi Bridge in Lahore.
Authorities imposed Section 144, deployed thousands of police and Rangers, and sealed roads to prevent protesters from entering Islamabad’s Red Zone.
The protests have drawn international media attention, reflecting Pakistan’s strong public support for Gaza amid global outrage over the humanitarian crisis.