There is a general perception and history witnesses that ultra-right-wing groups or parties are the products of the establishment. It is also believed that they receive ideological and financial support from foreign backers.
One can take the example of the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) against the Bhutto regime, which overnight became so powerful that it could topple Bhutto’s government. Now, it is an open secret that PNA was not only receiving patronage from the establishment but also receiving a huge amount of dollars.
Interestingly, the popular PNA was turned into mud within months. It is another misperception that only the Wahabi Deobandi organisations can turn militant, but in recent history, especially the last decade, the Barlevi school of thought, which is generally known to be mild in terms of extremist proclivity, has come forward as a threat to the state apparatus.
The middle-class commoner Khadim Hussan Rizvi, who started off as a khateeb of a mosque, eventually became so strong that in 2022 he was able to start a long march to Islamabad under the banner of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). It seized the entire twin city for more than a week. Not only the government, but the establishment surrendered to their demands. After this powershow, the establishment realised that TLP was an innocent religious group.
Years back, Khadim Hussain Rizvi died in mysterious circumstances. His funeral was one of the biggest in the history of Pakistan. After his death, his two sons, Saad Rizvi and Anas Rizvi, took over. They were better equipped and organised than before. Interestingly, TLP is a registered political party and they also took part in elections in 2023.
The sons followed the same path that their father had tread by again starting a long march which resulted in bloody clashes with the security forces. The establishment again displayed its intolerance towards the party’s activities. When writing these lines, both Anas and Saad have disappeared and hundreds of their followers are detained. Perhaps the next step would be a ban on the party.
However, it seems that TLP would remain a threat in Punjab as they may be apolitical but remain religious fanatics.
