The far-right Tehreek-e-Labbaik party has called off a march on the capital, and the government has said allowing the party back into the political mainstream is in the "national interest."
Tehreek-e-Labbaik have not yet officially called off their 'Long March' on IslamabadImage: Rana Sajid Hussain/picture alliance/Pacific Press
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Pakistan ended its prohibition of the radical Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) on Sunday, one year after violent protests led to a government crackdown against the party.
The government defended its decision by saying it was in the "larger national interest" as a means to prevent future violence from the extremist group.
Why was Tehreek-e-Labbaik banned in the first place?
The government is set to ask parliament to vote on whether to expel the French ambassador, following a week of violent clashes. Despite a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labaik party, it is still maintaining a widespread following.
Image: REUTERS
French ambassador risks expulsion
Traders shout anti-France slogans as they walk through a closed market on April 19, 2021. Pakistan's government is expected to ask parliament to vote on whether to expel the French ambassador, in a move widely seen as a bid to appease the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party.
Image: AFP/Getty Images
Protesting the arrest of Saad Rizvi
Supporters of the TLP throw stones towards police firing tear gas to disperse them, at a protest in Lahore on Monday, April 12. TLP supporters have been protesting the arrest of their leader, Saad Rizvi, after he called for protests to push the government to expel France's ambassador over depictions of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
Image: K.M. Chaudary/AP/picture alliance
Mourning deaths on both sides
People attend the funeral of a supporter of the banned TLP, who was killed during a protest in Lahore. The government has banned the Islamist party, which is known for instigating disruptive street protests in response to what it deems to be violations of the blasphemy law. The ban was implemented after multiple police officers were killed and over 100 people injured.
Image: REUTERS
Officers and protesters killed in clashes
TLP supporters chant slogans in Lahore on April 19. The group has been protesting since French President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of the press to republish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Police in Lahore said at least six officers were killed, while 11 others were held hostage for several hours at a mosque. The TLP says several of its supporters also died in clashes.
Image: REUTERS
Strike shuts down major cities
A hawker on a bicycle rides by a closed wholesale cloth market during a nationwide strike called for by the TLP, in Karachi, on April 19. Many powerful clerics in the country voiced their support for the strike, which saw markets and public transport closed in Karachi, and internet services suspended in Lahore.
Image: Akhtar Soomro/REUTERS
French told to leave Pakistan
A TLP supporter hurls stones towards police in Lahore, on April 13. Last week, the French embassy advised its citizens to temporarily leave the country. The hashtag #FrenchLeavePakistan" was trending with tens of thousands of tweets last week, as anti-French sentiment continued to brew over the contentious cartoon, published in 'Charlie Hebdo.'
Image: REUTERS
Widespread following despite government ban
Protesters display a pile of used teargas canisters which, according to them, were fired by the police. Although the government banned the TLP, its campaign continues to find support even among mainstream religious groups. The TLP had, however, agreed to "call off its protest sit-ins from the entire country" after long negotiations, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.
Image: REUTERS
Criticism over official handling of protests
Protesters receive medical aid at a mosque in Lahore. Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has been heavily criticized for mishandling the protests and not acting swiftly against violent protesters. Protesters are also calling for a boycott of French products, and for the release of 26-year-old leader Saad Rizvi.
Image: REUTERS
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The leader of the hard-line conservative party, Saad Rizvi, was arrested and charged under the anti-terrorism act in the wake of the protests.
The TLP gained prominence in Pakistan's 2018 election when it vowed to defend the country's blasphemy law, which calls for the death penalty for anyone who insults Islam.
What is the current state of relations between Pakistan and the TLP?
The government's agreement to lift the ban — and to release Rizvi — came as the TLP piled up the pressure.
In line with the agreement, the TLP is supposed to formally call off its march. But many supporters planned to maintain a sit-in until the government follows through on its promise to release Rizvi. Last week, Pakistani authorities released over 1,000 detained members of the party.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that a proposal to expel France's envoy would be discussed in parliament. However, he has also stated that Pakistan cannot afford to damage its relations with the EU by carrying out such an act, news agency EFE reported.
