Islamabad, Oct. 29, (dpa/GNA) – Pakistan on Friday deployed paramilitary forces in the central province of Punjab to confront thousands of radical Islamists on a march towards Islamabad decrying blasphemy, in defiance of warnings by the government.
Members of the far-right Tehreek-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) have been on the streets for more than a week now, trying to force the government to expel the French ambassador, in retaliation for last year’s depiction of the prophet Mohammed in a French magazine.
Any depiction of Mohammed is considered blasphemous to strict Muslims, whether the image is respectful or not.
At least seven police officers have been killed in clashes with marchers, who started from the eastern city of Lahore, since October 22.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said paramilitary rangers force had been given policing powers across Punjab due to the protest.
The government on Wednesday announced a crackdown against the group, but the warning did not deter the marchers.
The marchers have covered around 100 kilometres, travelling by foot, car, bus and motorbike, crossing obstacles like ditches, walls of shipping containers and tear gas shelled by police.
The TLP, whose members follow the Brelvi branch of Islam have staged multiple, deadly protests against the depiction of Mohammed in France. Brelvi is different from the form of Islam practised by groups like the Taliban. Also known as Sufi Islam, it allows its followers to listen to mystic music and dance.
The government refused to expel the ambassador and instead, in April, banned the group under the country’s anti-terrorism laws last week, putting TLP in the same category as the outlawed al-Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban.
Group leader Saad Rizvi was arrested after deadly protests in April and has been in custody since.
The TLP rose to prominence in 2017 for its support of anti-blasphemy laws, seeking a death sentence for those found guilty of insulting Islam or Mohammed.
GNA