The Tahreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party has gathered its supporters in Rawalpindi on Sunday, to denounce French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent vow to fight Islamist separatism. Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi presented a scene of a battlefield as police and stick-wielding members of TLP fought throughout the days on Sunday and Monday.
Islamabad police had to resort to teargas shelling against the stone-pelting activists who had gathered on the call of TLP chief Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi to condemn the publication of blasphemous caricatures in Charlie Hebdo magazine and remarks about Islam and terrorism by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Tensions over the response of the French govt
Tensions over the reaction of the French government to recent Islamist attacks in the country have been increasing since the murder of teacher Samuel Paty by a Muslim in the northern Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine on October 16.
The attack provoked an outpouring of support in France and tough response from the government which saw dozens apprehended and numerous organizations and mosques closed in a widespread crackdown on alleged Islamic extremism.
However, comments from President Emmanuel Macron regarding religious rights and freedom of expression and the display of controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)Â at solidarity rallies following the attack have since prompted allegations of Islamophobia from several Muslim political and religious leaders across the globe.
The reaction of Muslims: Boycott of French products
Several protests over the crackdown and French government policies have since been held outside French embassies and consulates in various countries over the month, including Pakistan, Iran, Mali, Mauritania, Turkey, Bangladesh,  Libya  and Indonesia, with thousands of participants.
 There have also been widespread calls for a boycott of French goods, particularly foodstuffs, in Muslim-majority countries, with the protest being supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and several other Muslim leaders.
Irresponsible attitude of TLP
Saad Rizvi, son of the TLP chief Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi who had reached Liaquat Bagh with other activities, said they would not be dissuaded by the arrests and shelling and the rally would continue as planned.
Saad demanded the French ambassador be immediately excluded and all diplomatic, trade and economic ties with the country detached. Many protesters managed to climb on to the metro bus track and started marching towards Islamabad. On the way, they clashed with police and damaged the metro bus stations.
According to a report submitted to the Commissioner of the city, CCTV cameras were broken at Committee Chowk and Waris Khan metro bus stations while glass panes of the Sixth Road station and the elevator at Faizabad were damaged.
Meanwhile, journalists covering the protest claimed that the TLP activists harassed them and snatched their mobile phones. People could also be seen walking to their destinations due to the closure of roads and the absence of public transport.
All major commercial and business areas of Rawalpindi city and cantonment remained suspended except those in residential areas. However, the most affected were the people living in areas close to where the clashes took place.
Residents of the areas said they suffered a lot because of the blockades, closure of shops and suspension of mobile phone service. They could not purchase medicine for his father who was a diabetic because they were not allowed to leave their home.
Clashes during TLP protest
The protesters whose number was officially given at about 3,000 managed to reach Faizabad Interchange where they staged a sit-in. During the clashes, several of the police personnel, including senior police officials, and several TLP members were injured and shifted to hospitals.
Heavy teargas shelling also affected residents of the adjoining vicinities with various complaining of difficulty in breathing.
On Saturday, police were seen making announcements, asking traders on Murree Road and the adjoining markets to keep their businesses closed on Sunday, warning them of legal action if they did not comply with the directives. As many as 24 entry points of the city were closed with shipping containers.
As many as 16 entries point to Islamabad were also blocked. There was also no mobile phone service in the entire city since late Sunday. More than 200 TLP activists were apprehended by police till now.
Streetlights on Murree Road and Faizabad remained closed as the protesters marched on Murree Road. Islamabad Capital Territory police had also adopted unprecedented security steps to prevent the protesters from entering their area.
Needed better procedures and policies
Muslims do not tolerate the insolence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the desecration of the Holy Quran they always openly speak out against it.
By publishing controversial and offensive sketches and the desecration of the Holy Quran all Muslim countries, including Pakistan, are being pushed towards World War III.
The OIC must address the fact that the entire Muslim world is being condemned for the actions of a few (the Charlie Hebdo attackers) who resort to extremism.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the entire nation of the country, condemned French President Emmanuel Macron over his anti-Muslim attitude.
At the time of COVID-19 pandemic crises, TLP leadership should reconsider their decisions and demands for the sake country’s betterment. The government also needs to adopt better procedures and policies to tackle such situations.
However, the non-stop war of words between the government and the opposition and a dysfunctional parliament that is more a political battleground than a forum for oversight and serious legislation raises serious concerns.
It seems we have still not realized that democratic development is the only sustainable solution to address the complex issues that Pakistan faces whether it be the economy, national security or earning respect among the community of nations.
