ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited Faizabad late Friday night to review security arrangements amid Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) protest march from Lahore to Islamabad.
The visit came as TLP workers began moving towards the federal capital, pushing through security blockades in Lahore’s Chauburji area and clashing intermittently with law enforcement personnel.
During the visit, Naqvi met police and Federal Constabulary personnel deployed at Faizabad and lauded their morale to ensure public safety. He commended their commitment and boosted their morale, saying, “You are the soldiers of Pakistan, who are playing a vital role in upholding the rule of law.”
Naqvi personally interacted with security officials, inquired about their welfare, and instructed the Islamabad Police Inspector General to ensure adequate food and rest facilities for personnel on duty.
Reiterating the government’s firm stance, Naqvi said that no group would be allowed to enter Islamabad or any other city unlawfully. “No one will be permitted to take the law into their own hands,” he added.
Inspector General Islamabad Police, the chief commissioner, deputy commissioner and other officials were also present during the visit.
In Lahore, chaos was witnessed as TLP workers moved forward after removing containers amidst clashes with security forces.
According to Edhi Foundation spokesperson Younis Bhatti, several policemen were injured and shifted to hospitals.
Meanwhile, TLP spokesperson Usman Naushahi said that one protester was killed and 22 others injured in the clashes.
Ahead of the march, the US embassy in Islamabad issued a security advisory warning of possible disruptions across major cities, urging American citizens to avoid large gatherings.
U.S. Embassy Islamabad and the U.S. Consulates General in Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar are monitoring planned protest activity across Pakistan on October 10, 2025. These protests may cause traffic delays/detours due to closed or blocked roads in the vicinity of the… pic.twitter.com/QN8AFKUEyp
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) October 10, 2025
As precautionary measures, roads leading to the federal capital have been sealed and mobile internet services suspended in the twin cities.
The Islamabad administration has placed shipping containers at the Faizabad Interchange — the site of several past TLP sit-ins — to prevent protesters from entering the capital city.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend 3G and 4G services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The directive, dated October 9, stated that the suspension would begin at midnight and remain in effect “until further orders.”
The PTA was asked to coordinate with the Islamabad Commissioner, the police chief, and the Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer to implement the order.
Pakistan cannot afford TLP-led chaos again, Talal Chaudhry
Earlier, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accused the TLP of spreading disorder rather than staging a peaceful protest, saying there is no longer any space in Pakistan for “mob politics” or coercive tactics to press demands.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry said the state would not be blackmailed by any group.
He stressed that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the government will not allow actions that create unrest.
He said that the government had no difficulty stopping roughly 2,000 TLP protesters in Lahore if needed, but authorities decided to use minimum force.
He said the TLP has a history of violent protests in which security forces and public property were attacked and several people — including security personnel — lost their lives.
He questioned why protests were being held in the name of Gaza and Palestine when, he said, people worldwide supporting Palestine were celebrating the recent peace deal.