Khadim Rizvi, Afzal Qadri among 500 booked for rioting

LAHORE: Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and senior leader Afzal Qadri were booked on Saturday on charges of rioting and disrupting peace in various parts of Lahore.

Police said 500 people, including Rizvi and Qadri, have been booked in 11 cases.

The suspects face charges of disrupting peace and blocking roads, police said.

Two cases have also been booked against agitators in Islamabad on charges of destroying property.

Interior ministry assures action against vandals

The Interior Ministry has said action will be taken against elements involved in destroying of properties and harming common citizens.

In a statement, the ministry said it is in the process of identifying such elements and action will be taken against such elements, adding that religious parties have assured the government their supporters were not involved in destruction of property.

Videos and CCTV footage are being analysed to identify individuals involved in vandalism and violence, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is also reviewing related content on social media for the purpose.

The ministry said that cases have been booked and that arrests will also be carried out.

The TLP wound up sit-ins and protest late last night after it reached an agreement with the government on the matter of Asia Bibi blasphemy case.

During the three-day protest across the country, a number of vehicles and properties were destroyed in protest of the Supreme Court order acquitting Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges. Main intersections and roads were also blocked in major cities, resulting in severe mobility issues for people.

Several mainstream religious parties had also held separate demonstrations in major cities following the Jummah prayers, with thousands of demonstrators converging near government offices in Islamabad.

Mobile services in major cities across Pakistan, apart from Karachi, were also suspended throughout Friday.