Pakistan faced two major protests in recent days. The first was in POK where the public rose in anger against rising costs, exploitation of resources and lack of basic amenities. Protests lasted two weeks, and were brutally crushed with over a dozen (officially reported) killed. Actual figures could be far higher. The region was cut off, essential services shut and protesting leaders coerced into signing an agreement with Islamabad. This may just be a temporary pause as anger continues to simmer. The second were protests led by the TLP (Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan), a far-right Islamist party, against their failed marshal and puppet PM agreeing to the Gaza plan. In their opinion, the plan is suited to Israel’s demands. Saad Rizvi, the TLP leader, accused the Pakistani leadership of selling out to Israel. It is also rumoured that Pakistan may join the Abraham accords and recognize Israel, something the TLP is against.

The TLP had planned to protest in front of the US embassy in Islamabad. They were stopped at Muridke and their camp was attacked employing military power. True casualty figures may never be known but most likely were over 100. There are reports of bodies being dumped into the Sutlej River. These protests have been stalled but violence continues in Lahore, with the TLP refusing to back down. The TLP was once the darling of the Pakistan army, employed by it to initially bring down the Nawaz Sharief government and subsequently embarrass the Imran Khan government. Videos of a serving Pakistani general handing over money to each protestor for his service in support of the army will haunt Pakistan. Today the same institution threatens the army and its control over the state.

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