Thousands pour in for Khadim Rizvi’s funeral in Lahore

Son Saad Rizvi selected as new TLP chief

LAHORE:

Thousands attended the funeral prayers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Labaik chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, held at the Greater Allama Iqbal Park in Lahore on Saturday.

The TLP chief passed away at a hospital in Lahore on Thursday after a prolonged illness, just two days after his supporters staged a forceful protest against France in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

 

 

Family sources said that Rizvi, 54, had been suffering from fever for the last few days. Due to high fever and shortness of breath, he was shifted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital Thursday night where he suffered a fatal heart attack.

 

The funeral prayers of the TLP chief were led by his son Hafiz Syed Hussain Rizvi.

Following the funeral prayers, his son Saad Rizvi was elected to lead TLP. Speaking to the media after the funeral prayers, Saad vowed to take his father’s mission forward.

 

He pledged to take up the issue of blasphemous cartoons published in France and maintained that he will follow in his father’s footsteps.

 

Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi had ended his sit-in at Faizabad interchange, Islamabad on Monday, organised to protest the publication of blasphemous caricatures of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him).

 

However, he developed fever and complained of breathing problem, according to his party spokesman. He was rushed to the hospital, but expired on the way on Thursday night. The 55-year-old clerk is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

 

Apart from the party followers, the funeral was attended by a large number of religious and political figures and the public in general.

 

Stringent security measures were put in place to ensure no untoward incident occured. According to Lahore Police, 26 SHOs and 13 DSPs along with thousands of police force were deployed in and around the Minar-e-Pakistan.

Snipers and cellular jammers were also deployed at key locations. The crowd peacefully dispersed after the funeral.

Additional traffic wardens were also deployed, however, owing to the huge crowds, traffic in the city remained stuck for hours on all roads leading to and from the venue.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)