Punjab Government to Recommend Ban on TLP After Violent Protests:
LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced that it will recommend a federal ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following a wave of violent protests and deadly clashes with law enforcement agencies across the province.
The decision was taken during an “extraordinary meeting” chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where what her office described as “historic decisions” were made to restore order and assert the state’s writ.
According to the official statement, the provincial government has decided to move a formal recommendation to the federal cabinet to impose a ban on TLP, labeling it an “extremist party.” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari later confirmed that the decision directly targets Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.
The party’s leadership will also be placed in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, which lists individuals suspected of terrorism or sectarian extremism. Authorities have also ordered the immediate arrest of anyone involved in hate speech, incitement, or violence.
The statement from the CM Office further announced that all cases involving the killing of police officers and damage to public property during the recent clashes will be tried in Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs).
“All properties and assets of the extremist party will be handed over to the Punjab Auqaf Department,” the statement read. “A complete ban will be enforced on the party’s posters, banners, and advertisements, while bank accounts and social media pages spreading hate will be frozen or taken down.”
Punjab Police Trace Saad Rizvi, Urge Surrender.
Crackdown on Illegal Arms and Afghan Nationals
The Punjab government also issued a one-month ultimatum for citizens to surrender illegal weapons, warning that offenders will face up to 14 years in prison and fines reaching Rs2 million.
At the same time, the government ordered a combing operation against illegal Afghan residents and businesses, directing authorities to prepare a real-time database of undocumented immigrants. A whistleblower system will be introduced to track illegal residents, ensuring confidentiality for informants.
The Chief Minister’s Office added that Afghan nationals residing in Punjab will be brought into the tax net, while illegal immigrants will be deported under the federal government’s policy.
TLP Crackdown After Muridke Violence
The move comes days after violent confrontations in Muridke, where TLP protesters clashed with police, resulting in multiple deaths, injuries, and arrests. The protesters had launched a “Gaza Solidarity March” toward Islamabad, which authorities said turned violent after police attempted to disperse them.
Over 2,700 people have been arrested across Punjab since the operation, with 2,800 individuals placed on the no-fly list, according to Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry.
Chaudhry stated that the crackdown on TLP will be carried out in the same manner as the May 9, 2023 riots, which led to mass arrests of PTI supporters.
Ban History
The TLP was previously banned in April 2021 under the Anti-Terrorism Act after similar episodes of violence. The ban was later lifted in November 2021 following a negotiated deal. Restrictions were again imposed temporarily in June 2023 but lifted soon after an agreement was reached.
Special Prosecutors Appointed
In a related development, the Punjab government has appointed two special public prosecutors — Advocate Supreme Court Rana Shakeel Ahmed Khan and Advocate High Court Chaudhry Khalid Rasheed — to handle terrorism cases against TLP leaders and workers in Lahore and Sheikhupura.
According to the order issued by the Public Prosecution Department, the prosecutors will coordinate with investigating officers and joint investigation teams to ensure “efficient case preparation, trial proceedings, and appeals in higher courts.”
