2021 Pakistani protests

{{Infobox civil conflict

| title = 2021 Pakistani protests

| arrests = 100+

| howmany4 =

| casualties1 =

| casualties2 =

| casualties3 =

| casualties4 =

| fatalities = 27+ (including 2 police){{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2294421/at-least-three-killed-more-than-100-arrested-as-tlp-protest-continues-across-pakistan|publisher=tribune.com.pk|author=|title=At least three killed, more than 100 arrested as TLP protest continues across Pakistan|date=13 April 2021|access-date=13 April 2021}}

| injuries = 40+ police and 100+ protestors injured

| damage =

| buildings =

| detentions =

| charged =

| fined =

| effect =

| effect_label =

| casualties_label =

| howmany1 =

| howmany2 =

| subtitle =

| methods = Sit-in, protest, strikes, rioting

| partof =

| image = Protest_TLP_Lahore_April_2021.jpg

| caption =

| date = 11–20 April 2021

| place = Countrywide

| coordinates =

| causes = *Blasphemy

Government mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic

| goals = *Exile French Ambassador

Lift the ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan

| status =

| leadfigures4 =

| result =

| side1 = {{flagicon image|Tehreek-e-Labbaik flag.png}} Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan

| side2 = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Government of Pakistan

| leadfigures1 = {{flagicon image|Tehreek-e-Labbaik flag.png}} Saad Hussain Rizvi

| leadfigures2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.svg}} Imran Khan

| sidebox =

| notes = Other protests {{Succession links|left=2017 sit-in|right=October 2021 protests}}

}}

The 2021 Pakistani protests were a series of protests and strikes in Pakistan from 11 to 20 April 2021. Mass protests first erupted after a series of calls for nationwide rallies and picketing against the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet, orchestrated by banned far-right party Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) {{Cite web|last=Hashim|first=Asad|title=Pakistan temporarily blocks social media over potential protests|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/16/pakistan-temporarily-blocks-social-media-amid-anti-france-rallies|access-date=2021-04-17|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-17|title=Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik fuels anti-France violence in Pakistans|url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20210417-islamist-party-tehrik-e-labbaik-fuels-anti-france-violence-in-pakistan|access-date=2021-04-18|website=France 24|language=en}} The primary motive was against France after a supposed blasphemous caricature was published there and the events surrounding the murder of Samuel Paty, a French middle school teacher. The demonstrators demanded a boycott of French goods and the expulsion of the French ambassador.{{Cite web|title=Pakistan PM Imran Khan asks Western govts to outlaw disrespect for Prophet on lines of Holocaust|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2021/apr/17/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-asks-western-govts-to-outlaw-disrespect-for-prophet-on-lines-of-holocaust-2291255.html|access-date=2021-04-18|website=The New Indian Express|date=17 April 2021 }}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-18|title=Islamist party vows to continue fight to expel French ambassador from Pakistan|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/18/tlp-vows-to-continue-fight-to-expel-french-ambassador-from-pakistan|access-date=2021-04-20|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

The protests intensified across Pakistan after the party's leader Saad Hussain Rizvi was arrested on 12 April 2021.{{cite news|author=|date=12 April 2021|title=تحریک لبیک کے سربراہ سعد رضوی کی گرفتاری: اسلام آباد، پنڈی میں مظاہروں کے مقامات پر انٹرنیٹ بند، گوجرانوالہ میں مظاہرین سے نمٹنے کے لیے پولیس کبڈی ٹیم میدان میں|publisher=bbc.com|url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-56718427|access-date=13 April 2021}}{{cite news|author=|date=13 April 2021|title=TLP protesters block major Pakistan roads, highways|publisher=samaa.tv|url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/04/protest-causes-massive-traffic-jam-in-karachi/|access-date=13 April 2021}}{{cite news|author=|date=13 April 2021|title=Police constable beaten to death in Lahore as TLP protests against Rizvi's detention continue for 2nd day|publisher=dawn.com|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1618005|access-date=13 April 2021}} It ended on 20 April 2021 when the expulsion of the French envoy was agreed to be discussed in the parliament.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=TLP chief Saad Rizvi reportedly released from custody|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2295790/tlp-chief-saad-rizvi-reportedly-released-from-custody|access-date=2021-04-21|website=The Express Tribune|language=en}}

Background

In October 2020, French teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded near Paris reportedly for displaying a cartoon of Muhammad. French President Emmanuel Macron defended freedom of expression and the rights to publish such cartoons, after which widespread protests took place in the Islamic world with calls to boycott French products. In November 2020, activists of the far-right Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) blocked an entrance to Islamabad and demanded the expulsion of French ambassador from Pakistan and severing diplomatic ties.{{cite news|title=Protests in Pakistan after Islamist leader's arrest {{!}} DW {{!}} 12.04.2021|work=DW.COM|url=https://www.dw.com/en/protests-in-pakistan-after-islamist-leaders-arrest/a-57175939|access-date=16 April 2021}}{{cite news|date=15 April 2021|title=France urges citizens to leave Pakistan amid anti-French protests|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56760224|access-date=16 April 2021}} The protests were called off on 16 November 2020 after the Government of Pakistan reached an agreement with TLP by seeking more time to discuss the matter in parliament.{{cite news|date=13 April 2021|title=Cop killed, 40 others injured in Lahore as TLP protests against Rizvi's detention continue for 2nd day|language=en|work=DAWN.COM|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1618005|access-date=16 April 2021}}

Events

After French President Emmanuel Macron took a hardened stance against radical Islamists, the founder of the TLP, Khadim Hussain Rizvi called on Pakistan to cut diplomatic relations with France, He asked his followers to protest in the streets of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. A few days later, he died due to illness, and the protests became more violent under the aegis of his son, Saad Hussain Rizvi.{{Cite news|last=Bhattacherjee|first=Kallol|date=2021-04-17|title=Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan {{!}} The rally of the radical clerics|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/tehreek-e-labbaik-pakistan-the-rally-of-the-radical-clerics/article34345842.ece|access-date=2021-04-18|issn=0971-751X}}{{cite news|title=Thousands take to streets in Pakistan in anti-government protest|newspaper=Financial Times |date=13 December 2020|agency=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/ea8e1a05-9d9a-4183-91bd-5075da408c89 |last1=Bokhari |first1=Farhan }}{{cite web|title=Why Pakistanis Are Daring to Criticize Their Military|date=22 October 2020 |agency=Foreign Policy|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/10/22/why-pakistanis-daring-criticize-their-military-pakistan-protests-imran-khan-pdm/}}

On 11 April 2021, Saad Rizvi released a video message asking TLP activists to launch protests across Pakistan if the government did not expel the French ambassador from the country by 20 April. On 12 April, after Rizvi was arrested in Lahore charged under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (ATA), which further angered protesters, causing widespread unrest.{{Cite web|last=Dawn.com|date=2021-04-15|title=Government bans TLP under anti-terrorism law|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1618391|access-date=2021-04-18|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}} Protests broke out across the country, with TLP activists blocking transport routes and cutting off cities including Lahore, Dina, Islamabad, Peshawar and Gujranwala from each other.{{cite news|date=13 April 2021|title=Two killed as violence erupts after TLP chief's arrest|language=en|work=DAWN.COM|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1617910/two-killed-as-violence-erupts-after-tlp-chiefs-arrest|access-date=16 April 2021}}{{cite news|title=Pakistan: Deadly anti-French protests escalate {{!}} DW {{!}} 13.04.2021|work=DW.COM|url=https://www.dw.com/en/pakistan-deadly-anti-french-protests-escalate/a-57187657|access-date=16 April 2021}} The protests turned violent with reports of stone pelting; at least two people were killed in the riots on 12 April. In addition, TLP claimed that two protesters were shot dead in Faisalabad and Karachi. Later, a TLP spokesperson said that at least four people were killed, hundreds were injured and thousands were arrested by the police.{{Cite web|title=Deadly Clashes After Islamist Hardliners Take Police Hostage In Pakistan|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-deadly-clashes-after-islamist-group-tlp-takes-police-hostage-in-lahore-2416519|access-date=2021-04-19|website=NDTV.com}}

On 13 April, one police officer was beaten to death by the rioting mob in Lahore, while 40 others were injured. TLP spokesperson Tayyab Rizvi claimed that the number of TLP workers "martyred" in the protests by the second day had increased to 12. A spokesperson of Punjab Police confirmed that two cops were killed by the protesters who used clubs, bricks and firearms to attack them.{{cite news|title=Pakistan news: Pakistan deploys paramilitary forces to quell deadly Islamist protests {{!}} World News - Times of India|language=en|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-deploys-paramilitary-forces-to-quell-deadly-islamist-protests/articleshow/82066025.cms|access-date=16 April 2021}} Paramilitary forces were brought in to assist the local police across various cities including Lahore, Gujranwala, Dina, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur.{{cite news|title=Pakistan's paramilitary forces deployed after 4 killed in violent protests|language=en|work=gulfnews.com|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistans-paramilitary-forces-deployed-after-4-killed-in-violent-protests-1.78492066|access-date=16 April 2021}}

The Pakistan government banned the TLP on 15 April, accusing them of terrorism as their protestors had engaged in street violence and attacked public law enforcers.{{Cite web|title=Banned party TLP's chief Saad Rizvi placed on fourth schedule, assets frozen|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/345893-banned-party-tlp-chief-saad-rizvi-placed-on-fourth-schedule-assets-frozen|access-date=2021-04-18|website=www.geo.tv|language=en}} However, the ban does not enable the Pakistani government to entirely dissolve the political party, for which it needs a mandate for the Pakistani Supreme Court.{{Cite web|title=Pakistan has banned TLP. What will happen next? {{!}} SAMAA|url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/04/pakistan-has-banned-tlp-what-will-happen-next/|access-date=2021-04-18|website=Samaa TV|date=7 October 2011 |language=en-US}} Pakistan temporarily banned social media for four hours on 16 April in an attempt to curb the protests, as the TLP has wide social media penetration.{{cite news|title=Pakistan blocks social media platforms amid protest crackdown {{!}} DW {{!}} 16.04.2021|work=DW.COM|url=https://www.dw.com/en/pakistan-blocks-social-media-platforms-amid-protest-crackdown/a-57222243|access-date=16 April 2021}} Later, it banned coverage of the TLP by local media.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-16|title=Pakistan briefly blocks social media amid anti-France rally|url=https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-media-social-media-coronavirus-pandemic-lahore-e9b0c60872d826c34dc2441ca032332b|access-date=2021-04-18|website=AP NEWS}} On the same day, the Pakistani government released an alleged statement by Saad Rizvi, asking protestors to stand down and peacefully disperse.{{Cite web|last=Castronuovo|first=Celine|date=2021-04-16|title=Social media temporarily blocked in Pakistan amid anti-France protests|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/548654-social-media-temporarily-blocked-in-pakistan-amid-anti-france-protests|access-date=2021-04-18|website=TheHill|language=en}} But several demonstrators expressed their disbelief in the statement, insisting on seeing or hearing it coming from Rizvi himself. TLP supporters in Britain staged a protest near the Pakistan High Commission in London on 16 April, but were later dispersed by the local police.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-16|title=Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan protests outside Pak mission in London|url=https://www.siasat.com/tehreek-i-labbaik-pakistan-protests-outside-pak-mission-in-london-2124891/|access-date=2021-04-18|website=The Siasat Daily|language=en-US}}

On 18 April, the Pakistani police claimed that the TLP had taken six security personnel hostage in Lahore, including a senior police officer and two paramilitary soldiers. Later that day, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that 11 policemen who were taken hostage by TLP had been released after negotiations between Government of Punjab and TLP.{{cite news |title=11 policemen taken hostage by TLP released after first round of talks with Punjab govt: Sheikh Rashid |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1618944 |access-date=23 April 2021 |work=DAWN.COM |date=18 April 2021 |language=en}}

Aftermath and Reactions

France advised its citizens and French companies to temporarily leave Pakistan due to the violent protests' and serious threats.{{Cite web|title=France Advises Citizens To Leave Pakistan After Violent Protests|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/france-advises-citizens-to-leave-pakistan-after-violent-protests-2414605|access-date=2021-04-17|website=NDTV.com}}{{cite news|last1=Hashim|first1=Asad|title=France tells citizens to leave Pakistan 'due to serious threats'|language=en|work=www.aljazeera.com|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/15/france-tells-citizens-to-leave-pakistan-due-to-serious-threats|access-date=16 April 2021}} However, several French nationals refused to leave the country, stating that the threats were from TLP radicals, but not from the ordinary citizens.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-17|title='They said they'd protect me': French nationals refuse embassy call to leave Pak|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/they-said-they-d-protect-me-french-nationals-refuse-embassy-call-to-leave-pak-101618651418576.html|access-date=2021-04-18|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} An anonymous Pakistani diplomat speaking to the French newspaper, Le Figaro, said that their country's [Pakistan's] international reputation was deteriorating due the actions of the TLP.{{Cite web|title=Paris appelle les Français à quitter le Pakistan|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/la-france-recommande-a-ses-ressortissants-de-quitter-temporairement-le-pakistan-20210415|access-date=2021-04-18|website=LEFIGARO|date=15 April 2021 |language=fr}} Pakistani Taliban came out in support of TLP protesters and stated, "we will make [the government] accountable for every drop of the martyrs' blood."{{cite news|date=15 April 2021|title=Pakistan to ban religious party after deadly protests nationwide|language=en|work=Arab News|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1843131/world|access-date=16 April 2021}}

The Government has reportedly reached an agreement with TLP to end the protests and the government has agreed to table a resolution regarding the expulsion of the French ambassador in the national assembly.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=TLP calls off nationwide protests|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2295806/tlp-calls-off-nationwide-protests-as-na-debates-french-envoy-expulsion|access-date=2021-04-21|website=The Express Tribune|language=en}} TLP member Shafiq Amini requested all demonstrators to disperse and keep the peace. However, the government refused to lift the ban on the organisation.{{Cite web|title=TLP calls off Lahore sit-in|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/823289-tlp-calls-off-lahore-sit-in-after-govt-puts-french-envoys-expulsion-to-vote-in-na|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en}}