Thousands of supporters of the banned Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan party have clashed with police for a second day as they attempt to march from Lahore to Islamabad. The group demands the release of their leader, Saad Rizvi, who was arrested last year during protests against France over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Violent confrontations on Friday left at least two police officers and two demonstrators dead. Party spokesman Sajid Saifi said supporters spent the night near the Ravi River Bridge and resumed their march early Saturday, despite heavy teargas from security forces.
Saifi reported that the crowd removed barricades and exited Lahore but again faced security forces near Kala Shah Kako. He said many supporters were injured by teargas canisters. Witnesses noted that protesters were on foot, with some vehicles accompanying them to transport the injured and supplies.
Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan gained prominence in the 2018 elections by campaigning on defending the country's blasphemy law, which mandates the death penalty for insulting Islam. The party has a history of staging violent protests to pressure the government.
