Punjab seeks to outlaw TLP after protests

Provincial govt to send its recommendation to the Centre

LAHORE:

The PML-N–led Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and decided to recommend to the Centre that a complete ban be imposed on the religious party, whose Gaza March was forcefully dispersed by authorities on October 13 in Muridke.

In a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, it was agreed that TLP leaders and workers involved in the death of police officers and destruction of public property will be tried in anti-terrorism courts (ATCs).

The Punjab Police claimed that during the Muridke crackdown, the TLP protesters resorted to violence that resulted in the death of one station house officer (SHO). Forty-eight police and Rangers personnel also sustained injuries during the clashes with 17 wounded by gunfire.

Three TLP workers and one passerby also lost their lives, while at least 30 civilians were injured.

In view of the violence, the meeting decided to place the TLP leadership under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. It resolved to hand over all properties and assets of the party to the Auqaf Department and impose a complete ban on its posters, banners, and advertisements.

The TLP's social media accounts will also be blocked. All bank accounts of the party will be frozen and strict action will be taken for any violation of the Loudspeaker Act.

Meanwhile, Punjab Home Department invoked Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) across the entire province, imposing an immediate 10-day ban on all assemblies, gatherings, processions, and sit-ins of four or more persons in public spaces.

The issued order cited "credible reports and intelligence from law enforcement and intelligence agencies indicating a serious and imminent threat to public peace, tranquillity, and the safety of life and property".

The ban includes a complete prohibition on carrying or displaying weapons, using loudspeakers (except for Azan and Friday sermons in mosques), and publishing or disseminating provocative, hateful, or sectarian material.

Separately, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar vowed to employ AI to assist 27,000 district police personnels along with 12,000 special branch officials in identifying the suspects nominated in terrorism cases in particular registered recently against TLP activists.

Authorities have registered 305 cases under terrorism clauses and 480 cases under other sections of law against TLP protesters. In recent cases alone, 1,529 named suspects and 17,812 unidentified accused have been booked, according to police sources.

The IGP has finalized lists identifying 4,500 prominent TLP leaders and workers across the province for arrest. The police have arrested 3,400 individuals so far, with 326 detained in Lahore alone.

Police records show arrests across multiple districts: 251 in Lahore, 178 in Sheikhupura, 190 in Mandi Bahauddin, 155 in Rawalpindi, 143 in Faisalabad, 135 in Gujranwala, 128 in Sialkot, and 121 in Attock.

Authorities have registered 76 criminal cases across Punjab—39 in Lahore alone—under charges of terrorism, attempted murder, dacoity, incitement, and armed assault on police.

An anti-terrorism court has sent 98 detained TLP workers to jail on judicial remand while granting 18-day physical remand for 20 others.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government "will not allow anyone to hold the public hostage or attack the state," warning that those involved in armed resistance would be tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The ultra-orthodox party had also been banned in April 2021 after violent protests following the arrest of its leader Saad Rizvi under anti-terror laws. However, the ban was later lifted after negotiations with the PTI government.

The TLP has emerged as a significant political force in recent years, becoming the fourth-largest party in Pakistan following the 2024 general election with nearly 2.9 million votes, and the third-largest party in Punjab with approximately 2.5 million votes.

The whereabouts of TLP chief Saad Rizvi, who was leading the party's long march when it faced a crackdown, remain unknown. Lahore DIG Faisal Kamran had said Rizvi escaped during the police operation but said his location has been traced and an arrest is imminent.

Authorities have also initiated a money laundering investigation after large sums of cash were allegedly recovered during a raid at his Lahore residence.

The government maintains that immediate prevention and speedy remedy are required to pre-emptively address potential threats and maintain law and order throughout the province.