The Punjab Police on Tuesday announced the recovery of a substantial quantity of gold, cash, and foreign currency from the residence of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi, including nearly Rs. 150 million in Pakistani currency.
In a post on its official X account, the provincial police said it had recovered the material during a raid of the TLP leader’s home, conducted in coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Apart from the Rs. 144.4 million in Pakistani currency, law enforcers also seized gold and jewelry with an estimated value of around Rs. 63.4 million, comprising 1,922 grams of gold in the form of rings, bracelets, chains, lockets, bangles, and other items.
Additionally, police recovered 898 grams of silver, luxury watches and other valuables. They said Rizvi also had foreign currency equivalent to more than Rs. 2.5 million, including Indian rupees, pound sterling, Canadian dollars, Saudi riyals and U.A.E. dirhams.
According to State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, a key demand of the TLP during negotiations with the government last week was the return of all its seized cash, foreign currency, and jewelry. The group claims all these assets were collected through donations from various countries. The inclusion of the FIA in the raid suggests authorities might launch an inquiry into potential tax evasion and undeclared assets. “The FIA has frozen several bank accounts that were allegedly being used to fund violent protests,” read a statement issued by the organization.
Since the crackdown on the TLP in Muridke early on Monday—followings days of violent demonstrations in Lahore and its surrounding regions—authorities have ramped up efforts to detain TLP workers and leaders. In a statement, a Punjab Police spokesperson alleged the operation was launched after TLP workers attacked security personnel with stones, spiked sticks, and petrol bombs. Subsequently, authorities have registered a case, under the Anti-Terrorism Act and other criminal charges, against the TLP leadership and workers at the Muridke city police station.
Police have maintained that Rizvi and his brother, Anas, both escaped the raid and are currently hiding from authorities. A spokesperson has said efforts are underway to trace both TLP leaders and place them under arrest for further inquiry.
Law enforcers have also pushed back against claims of TLP regarding casualties during the protest. Police said one Station House Officer was martyred, while 48 personnel from the police and Rangers sustained injuries, including 17 through gunshot wounds. They said three TLP protesters and one passerby were killed, and eight civilians were reportedly injured.