Thread by @basitresearcher

Protests, agitation, long marches and sit-ins are the hallmark of TLP's brand of religious politics centered on two pillars: " Khatm-e-NAbuwat and Namoos-e-Risalat. Each sit-in, protest & long-march has strengthened the party, swelled its membership & vote bank. 1/n

The sit-in at D-chowk Islamabad in 2016 after Mumtaz Qadri's funeral laid the foundation of TLP's entry into politics as the movement Tehreek-e-Rihai Mumtaz Qadri transformed into Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasoolullah (TLYR) to which Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan (TLP) is a pol wing. 2/n

The 2017 Faizabad sit-in was a turning point in TLP's politics, forcing the PMLN govt to accede to all its demands by blocking the interchange connecting RWP&Isb. TLP emerged as a threat to the PMLN's vote-bank in Punjab. The appeasement strengthened TLP & gave it more space. 3/n

The protests after SC released Asia Bibi was another milestone where TLP took its agitational politics to a new level. It blocked major highways & brought the country to a standstill. After MQM, TLP is the only second pol party in Pak that can shut down main cities in mins. 4/n

The arrest of Saad Rizvi & the manner in which TLP has responded should lay to rest rumors which assumed that post-KHR TLP was weak, divided & was struggling with a leadership crisis between Saad and Pir Afzal Qadri. 5/n

Saad's arrest & reaction has made him the undisputed leader of TLP & the true successor of KHR. The latter's legacy not only lives on but seems to be in "safe hands." If the Daska byelection is anything to go by, TLP secured more than 8k votes & its base is still swelling. 6/n

TLP is securing more votes than Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulam-e-Islam is Punjab's electoral constituency. The recent episode soaked in blood, agitation, and vandalism will further swell its numbers and appeal among its constituents, i.e. poor and the working class. 7/n

Irrespective of how the govt handles TLP-through power or appeasement-the damage has been done. Saad has emerged as a leader & the TLP support base has responded to his arrest in an unprecedented manner. TLP'll be a constant headache for the powers-that-be for years to come. n/n