Petition to suspend TLP’s registration filed in SC

The federal government, ECP, Khadim Rizvi, Afzal Qadri named as respondents in the case

ISLAMABAD: A petition to suspend Tehreek-e-Labbaik's (TLP) registration as a political party in the Election Commission of Pakistan has been filed with the Supreme Court.

The petition was submitted by a barrister and names the federal government, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and TLP leaders Khadim Rizvi and Afzal Qadri as respondents.

It states that TLP is working against the state's stability and that Rizvi and Qadri should be held in contempt of court. After the SC ordered Aasia Bibi's acquittal, circulated videos showed TLP leaders calling for the death of several judges.

Action should be taken against Rizvi and Qadri for spreading chaos and terrorism, argues the petitioner, adding that their registration as a political party should be cancelled to ensure the basic rights of citizens.

On November 10, a writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court requesting the federal government to initiate treason proceedings against Rizvi and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The petition filed by a local citizen argued that the two political leaders had issued anti-state statements against the judiciary and the armed forces.



The petitioner implored that the TLP and JUI-F chiefs had clearly violated Article 6 of the Constitution in the garb of protests. He contended that under The High Treason Act, 1973, only the federal government is empowered to initiate treason proceedings.

The petitioner prayed that the court direct the federal government to initiate proceedings against the TLP and JUI-F leaders under the charges of high treason. He pleaded that the country was held hostage for three days following their statements.

Earlier this month, civil and military leadership hinted at taking legal action against TLP leadership for creating a law and order situation and challenging the writ of the state in the wake of the apex court’s order to acquit a blasphemy accused.

No action has been taken since and after TLP leaders claimed miscreants wreaking havoc during protests were not associated with the party, Minister of State Shehryar Afridi absolved them of responsibility.



The three-day violent protests, triggered by the Supreme Court’s October 31 verdict, were called off by the TLP after it struck a deal with government negotiators. However, the PTI government faced severe criticism from opposition parties for ‘bowing down to extremists’.

Some equated the agreement signed with the protesters as surrender. Even government ministers were not happy with the manner in which the issue was handled. Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari admitted that the policy of appeasement has failed historically.

In a damage control exercise, the government launched a crackdown against those who damaged public property and resorted to violence during the three-day protest. Hundreds of protesters were rounded up and efforts were on to detain remaining ones who were involved in violence and vandalism.