Police register FIR against TLP chief Saad Rizvi, others under anti-terrorism act

SHEIKHUPURA: Police have registered a case against Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Hussain Rizvi, his brother Anas Rizvi and several other party leaders under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act and other laws at the Muridke City Police Station in Sheikhupura district.

According to the FIR, registered on behalf of the police, “Saad Rizvi, who was present on stage, picked up a pistol lying near him and opened fire directly at the Factory Area SHO with intent to kill. The SHO was hit by the bullets and collapsed after being critically injured.”

The FIR further stated that “Anas Rizvi also opened fire with his rifle, injuring other police officers.” It added that the injured SHO later succumbed to his wounds. Section 302 (murder) has also been included in the case, the BBC Urdu said.

Police alleged that around “3,000 to 3,500 TLP workers were present on both sides of GT Road near Zafar Arcade in the form of a procession. Many of them were carrying sticks, stones, petrol bombs, and pieces of bricks, while some had bags and several others possessed firearms.”

The TLP has not yet commented on the registration of the case.

Earlier on Monday morning, police launched an operation against the protesters in Muridke. The TLP claimed that several of its workers were killed or injured during the action, while police confirmed the deaths of only three protesters.

On October 10, the TLP started a march to the US embassy in Islamabad, but due to heavy blockades, the march could not reach Islamabad.

The TLP protesters had been camping in Muridke since Saturday night. On Sunday, Saad Rizvi said that no government representative had approached them for negotiations.

According to Punjab police, one station house officer (SHO) was killed and 48 personnel were injured during the operation. Among the injured, 17 policemen sustained gunshot wounds. Police said three TLP protesters and one passerby were killed, while eight civilians were injured.

The police also reported that around 40 government and private vehicles were set ablaze during the clashes.

Local police officials said the operation to disperse the protesters was launched after talks failed and continued for about five hours. The GT Road area was later cleared of protesters.

Beds were placed inside and outside the emergency and other wards of Muridke Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, where the injured protesters and police personnel were brought for treatment.

Sheikhupura police spokesperson Rana Younis told BBC Urdu that the operation began at around 2am and was completed by 7am.