Punjab police ‘strike gold’ in raid on TLP chief’s residence
Photo: Express
Punjab Police have recovered a substantial quantity of gold, cash, and foreign currency during a raid at the residence of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan chief Saad Rizvi, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Police, the operation, conducted in coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), led to the recovery of millions of rupees in cash including foreign currency and jewellery.
Authorities stated that police recovered Rs144.4 million in Pakistani currency, along with gold and jewellery valued at over Rs63.4 million. The recovery included 1,922 grams of gold in the form of rings, bracelets, chains, lockets, bangles, and other items.
سعد رضوی کے گھر پنجاب پولیس کے حالیہ ریڈ کے دوران برآمد ہونے والی ملکی و غیر ملکی کرنسی، طلائی زیورات، قیمتی گھڑیوں، پرائز بانڈز و دیگر سامان کی تفصیلات۔۔۔۔#PunjabPolice pic.twitter.com/IGnxFkPzD0
Authorities also recovered 898 grams of silver, luxury watches and other valuables.
In addition, law enforcement officials confiscated foreign currency equivalent to more than Rs2.5 million, including Indian rupees, pound sterling, Canadian dollars, Saudi riyeals and UAE dirhams.
The raid was carried out in the presence of FIA and Cyber Crime Agency representatives, who officially documented and verified the recovered items, the police spokesperson said.
While authorities have not disclosed details regarding possible charges or the next phase of the investigation, sources indicated that the recovery forms part of a wider inquiry into financial irregularities and undeclared assets.
It was reported that one of TLP’s main demands during recent negotiations was the return of its seized cash, foreign currency and jewellery, which the group claims were collected through donations from various countries.
The raid was part of a broader crackdown by law enforcement agencies as they tightened noose around TLP following protests and days of unrest in Lahore and other cities across Punjab.
Supporters of the TLP, led by party Rizvi, had launched their 'Gaza March' from Multan Road last week to express solidarity with Palestine. The procession reached Muridke, en route to Islamabad.
Also Read: TLP leadership, workers booked under terrorism charges in Muridke
The march was held in defiance of Section 144 imposed by the Punjab government, that subsequently sealed major exit points from Lahore to prevent the rally’s advance towards the capital.
After negotiations between the government and TLP leadership failed, law enforcement agencies launched a major pre-dawn operation in Muridke on Monday to disperse what officials described as 'armed and violent mobs'.
In a statement, a Punjab Police spokesperson said the operation was initiated after TLP workers allegedly attacked security personnel with stones, spiked sticks, and petrol bombs.
Following the operation, a case was registered against TLP leadership and workers at the Muridke city police station under terrorism act and various other criminal charges.
Read: Police file terrorism case against TLP after deadly Muridke clashes
During the clashes, one Station House Officer was martyred, while 48 personnel from the police and Rangers sustained injuries, 17 of them suffering gunshot wounds. Three TLP protesters and one passerby were killed, and eight civilians were reportedly injured.
After the case was registered, heavy police contingents were deployed in and around Muridke to maintain peace and order.
The operation in Muridke triggered scattered protests in other parts of the country, including Karachi, where small groups blocked roads in areas like North Karachi and Nagan Chowrangi. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowds and also arrested over a dozen TLP supporters and workers. Two children were injured in stone-throwing incidents.
By Monday night, the Motorway Police confirmed that traffic had resumed normal flow on the M-2 (Lahore–Islamabad), M-3 (Lahore–Abdul Hakeem), and the Lahore–Sialkot Motorway. The sources in the police claimed, the intensity of street protests in Lahore significantly came down by late Monday.