Pakistan firebrand Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away

Firebrand Muslim preacher and Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi passed away on Thursday late evening, the country’s media reported, quoting his family sources.

TLP is a hardline religio-political organization of Pakistan founded in 2015.

Rizvi’s death was confirmed by Dr Asif Ashraf Jalali, the head of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA).

The TLP leader was suffering from fever since the past few days. He was 54.

Rizvi had been confined to a wheelchair since 2006 ever since an accident near Gujranwala.

He had complained about his health after he led a protest against the blasphemous French cartoons at the Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad a few days ago.

The TLP has been demanding the expulsion of the French ambassador and a boycott of French products.

After Rizvi’s health deteriorated, he was taken to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore today where he expired.

The TLP chief’s body was taken to a private hospital afterwards and from there, was sent to his home. A large number of TLP workers have gathered at his house to mourn his passing.