LAHORE; Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Tuesday that three civilians were killed during the police operation in Muridke, which dispersed the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protesters who were marching toward Islamabad.
The TLP had launched a march from Lahore earlier this month to protest in front of the US embassy in Islamabad in support of Gaza and Palestine. However, the march turned violent when it reached Muridke, leading to intense clashes between protesters and police, resulting in a large-scale crackdown.
At a press conference in Lahore, Bokhari rejected what she called “false narratives” circulating on social media about the operation. She said three civilians who were either bystanders or nearby were martyred, while 48 civilians and 110 police personnel were injured, including 18 who sustained gunshot wounds.
The minister said the protesters had torched eight police vans and stolen several others. Showing video footage of the clashes, she said, “They brought trolleys full of bricks and attacked police in the name of religion, Palestine, and Gaza.”
Bokhari also shared footage of valuables recovered from the residence of the TLP chief, claiming that 1.9 kilograms of gold, 898 grams of silver, 69 branded watches, and 28 gold bracelets were found. “They collect charity in the name of religion and take it home,” she alleged.
Appealing to the youth, she urged them not to be misled by groups exploiting religion for political or financial gain and asked parents not to allow their children to be part of such activities. “Don’t become pawns in others’ political games. The stories you see on social media are scripted,” she said.
Bokhari clarified that no graves or shrines were being moved, but condemned the use of religious symbols to incite violence. “We will not allow anyone to use religion to promote extremism,” she added.
She said the Punjab government had frozen the accounts of those funding extremist groups and warned that anyone providing financial or online support would face terrorism charges. She emphasized that the government was not acting against any religious sect but against those who spread violence.
Bokhari revealed that 330 mosques under TLP control had been taken over by the provincial administration and that 223 of its seminaries had been geotagged. She said the mosques would be used solely for prayer and azan, while the seminaries would soon reopen.
The minister added that six madressahs had been illegally built on government land without records. “Previously, no one dared question them due to fear of being targeted,” she said.
Bokhari confirmed that Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas, who fled after the operation, were being traced and would be arrested soon. She also said that a formal decision to ban the TLP was expected within the next few days.
“The government has made its decision. Now the people must choose whether Pakistan will be a democratic and progressive Islamic state,” she concluded.
