Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protesters, who had set up camp in Muridke after authorities blocked their path to Islamabad by digging trenches, were dispersed on Monday after a clash with law enforcement, as reported by the police.
The TLP, which started its protest march in Lahore on Friday, aimed to reach Islamabad and hold a demonstration supporting Gaza and Palestine outside the US embassy. On Sunday, law enforcement, including Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and large numbers of police from five districts, were sent to Muridke and reportedly surrounded the TLP protest camp.
Today, after confirming that the protesters had been dispersed, Punjab police spokesperson Mubashir Hussain stated that a police station house officer (SHO) was mytered during the clash and three TLP members lost their lives.
Punjab police announced on X that SHO Shehzad Nawaz was martyred in a shooting by armed groups in Sheikhupura, where Muridke is located. They noted his sacrifice in maintaining order and protecting lives but did not name the TLP.
Earlier Police sources indicated that the protest sit-in ended following a successful operation on Sunday night, allowing the GT Road to be cleared and reopened for regular traffic.
As the situation becomes more stable, all connecting roads between Islamabad and Rawalpindi are now open for commuters. In Rawalpindi, schools have reopened after being closed for four days, and business activities have resumed, with shops and commercial centers on Murree Road open. Traffic on Murree Road and nearby routes is flowing smoothly.
However, the road from Murree Road to Faizabad is still closed, and the Metro Bus Service between the two cities remains non-operational.
Authorities have confirmed that mobile phone and data services are fully restored across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, improving communication for residents.
Additionally, major roads like the IJP Road, Double Road, Expressway, and the route from Double Road to Ninth Avenue are open for vehicular traffic, making travel across major city junctions easier.
The clearance operation in Muridke followed unrest after TLP started a protest march from Lahore to Islamabad, causing concern among government officials, political parties, and the public.
On Sunday, Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, asked the TLP leadership to end their march. He urged them to support the government and armed forces in these challenging times.
Sanaullah mentioned that many political and religious groups have shown serious concerns about the demonstration and have called for political unity for the national interest.
In Lahore, the protest turned violent, leading to clashes between TLP supporters and law enforcement personnel.
According to DIG Operations Faisal Kamran, at least 112 police officers were injured, and more than 100 protesters were taken into custody. Reports indicated that demonstrators vandalised the Shahdara Town police station and caused damage to both public infrastructure and private property.
In a separate but related development, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore on Sunday to discuss the overall law and order and security situation prevailing in the country.
The high-level meeting included a detailed review of counter-terrorism strategies and other significant national security concerns. Minister Naqvi briefed the premier on the current state of internal security and outlined the steps being implemented by the Interior Ministry to maintain peace and stability.
PM Shehbaz commended Naqvi and his team for their efforts in managing the situation and stressed the importance of maintaining consistent, well-coordinated, and effective measures to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens.