Punjab Police ‘Strike Gold’ in Raid on TLP Chief’s Residence

The Punjab police have recovered a significant amount of gold, cash and foreign currency under a raid in the residence of Tehreek-E-Labbaik Pakistan Chief Saad Rizvi, confirmed officials on Tuesday.

According to a spokesman for Punjab police, the operation carried out in coordination with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), to recover millions of rupees in cash, including foreign currency and jewelry.

Authorities stated that police recovered RS144.4 million in Pakistani currency along with gold and jewelry worth over RS63.4 million. Recovering included 1,922 grams of gold in the form of rings, bracelets, chains, lockets, bangles and other objects.

Authorities also recovered 898 grams of silver, luxury watches and other valuables.

In addition, the law enforcement authorities in foreign currency corresponding to more than RS2.5 million confiscated, including Indian Rupis, Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollars, Saudi Riyeals and UAE Dirhams.

The raid was performed in the presence of FIA and Cyber ​​Crime Agency representatives who officially documented and verified the recovered items, police spokesman said.

While authorities have not revealed details of possible charges or the next phase of the investigation, sources indicated that recovery is part of a broader study of financial irregularities and non -declared assets.

It was reported that one of TLP’s most important requirements during the recent negotiations was the return of its seized cash, foreign currency and jewelry, which the group claims to be collected through donations from different countries.

The raid was part of a wider crash of law enforcement authorities as they tightened the noise around TLP after protests and days of unrest in Lahore and other cities over Punjab.

Supporters of TLP, led by the Rizvi party, had launched their ‘Gaza March’ from Multan Road last week to express solidarity with Palestine. The procession reached Murideke on the way to Islamabad.

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The march was held contrary to section 144, which was imposed by the Punjab government, which then sealed greater starting points from Lahore to prevent Rally’s progress towards the capital.

After the negotiations between the government and the TLP leadership failed, law enforcement authorities launched a major operation before dawn in Murideke Monday to spread what officials described as ‘armed and violent mob’.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Punjab police said the operation began after TLP workers allegedly attacked the security staff with stones, pointed sticks and gasoline bombs.

After the operation, a case was recorded against TLP management and workers at Murideke City Police Station during the Terrorism Act and various other criminal charges.

Read: Police Archive Terrorism -Case against TLP after deadly Muride -Collection

During the clashes, a station house was the officer of the martyr, while 48 police and rankers were caused by injuries, 17 of those who suffered gunshot wounds. Three TLP protesters and a passerby were killed and eight civilians were allegedly injured.

After the case was registered, heavy police quotas were deployed in and around Murideke to maintain peace and order.

The Murideke operation triggered scattered protests in other parts of the country, including Karachi, where small groups blocked roads in areas such as North Karachi and Nagan Chowrangi. Police used tear gas to spread crowds and also arrested over a dozen TLP supporters and workers. Two children were injured in stone -throwing events.

At Monday night, the motorway police confirmed that traffic had resumed normal flow on M-2 (Lahore Islamabad), M-3 (Lahore-Abdul Hakeem) and Lahore-Sialkot Motorway. The sources of police claimed that the intensity of street protests in Lahore significantly fell down late on Monday.