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1 Predicament: The danger for Pakistan is that if the issue of the sketches of Prophet Muhammad in France is not resolved, the Barelvi upsurge could escalate. AP
Tilak Devasher
Member, National Security Advisory Board
The three-day upsurge of the Barelvi assertion, led by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) witnessed in the major cities of Pakistan in mid-April, seems to have subsided, at least for the moment. While it lasted, it led to clashes between the TLP and security forces, leading to the death of several people, including police personnel, injuries to scores, arrests of many more and damage to property.
What was ominous was that several police personnel were held hostage by the protesters (subsequently released) and clips on social media that went viral showed soldiers fraternising with the protesters and warning of taking matters into their own hands.