The party leadership confirmed that Saad Hussain Rizvi, head of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), was detained by security forces in Lahore on Monday.
A senior police official also confirmed to Dawn that Rizvi was taken into custody as a "premature act". So far no First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against the TLP Central Amir.
Following this development, demonstrations took place at various places in Karachi and other major cities.
In a video message, TLP deputy chief Syed Zaheerul Hassan Shah said the government had "completely deviated" from the agreement reached with the TLP on honoring the Prophet.
Confirming Rizvi's arrest, he said, "The government has resorted to thugs and is restoring its past practices.
Shah called on TLP leaders and workers to "take to the streets" in their areas to protest the government's action.
"Protest on the streets and everywhere," he told them in a message.
TLP member Khalid Awan protested against TLP. At least three residents confirmed they were stuck in a traffic jam due to the protests.
Rawalpindi
TLP workers also gathered at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi, where they pelted stones and forced passengers to stop their cars.
Party workers also climbed over the Liaquat Bagh metro bus station, while traffic jams were reported from across the city.
A traffic jam was also seen on Murree Road where TLP protesters were chanting slogans.
Islamabad
In the capital, TLP activists forcibly blocked Atal Chowk in the Bhara Kahu area. As a result of the closure of the square, the flow of traffic from Murree was completely stopped.
Dozens of police and TLP workers were injured in clashes between protesters and police in Rawalpindi last year.
Protesters pelted stones at former TLP leader Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi's phone to condemn the publication of blasphemous cartoons in Chara Hebdo magazine and French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks on Islam and terrorism. anti-riot police had to resort to shedding tears. .
Before the protest, police had also taken off more than 200 protesters. The protesters dispersed after an agreement was reached between the government and the TLP on November 16, 2020.
The agreement reached in February stated that the government had not yet implemented the terms of the November 2020 agreement.
"The government of Pakistan and the TLP have been discussing the issue for over a month, during which the government has reaffirmed its commitment. The terms of the [previous] agreement will be tabled in Parliament on April 20, 2021, and decisions will be made. Will be. "Taken with the approval of Parliament," read the agreement.
It also said that the names of TLP members who were included in the fourth schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) would be deleted.
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