Several TLP leaders part ways, withdraw from politics citing party's divisive decisions

Express concerns over Shura decisions aiding India’s propaganda, pledge to serve Pakistan constructively

Several leaders associated with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan have parted ways with the party, withdrawing from active politics, citing concerns over certain decisions by the party’s central Shura that, they claim, provided India with an opportunity for propaganda.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Muhammad Nadeem, along with TLP shura members Shabbir Ahmed, Amjad Naeem, Nazim-e-Aala Muhammad Waqas, and Muhammad Zaheer, stated that they had collectively resolved to sever all ties with the party and political activities. They added that their professional focus would now be on the education sector.

The leaders said that following the death of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, specific decisions were taken within the party Shura which they could not endorse, as they believed such moves fostered chaos and division and inadvertently provided India with propaganda material. “We cannot be part of any policy that thrives on disorder and confrontation,” they added.

While announcing their exit from politics and disassociation from the TLP, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the protection of the sanctity of Prophethood (peace be upon him), stating they would continue to do so in a peaceful and constructive manner.

Terming Pakistan as a great blessing from Allah Almighty, they expressed their willingness to make sacrifices for the nation and pledged to contribute positively to the country’s progress and prosperity.

Proscribed organisation 

In October this year, the Ministry of Interior issued a notification regarding the ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), stating that the federal government has "reasonable grounds to believe that TLP is connected and involved in terrorism".

The notification, issued under Section 11B (1)(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, stated that the federal government orders the TLP to be a proscribed organisation for the purpose of the Act and list the aforesaid organisation in the first schedule to the said Act.

Federal cabinet unanimously approved the ban on TLP under the Anti-Terrorism Act, following a request from the Punjab government citing the group’s violent and extremist activities. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. “Since 2016, this organisation has fuelled agitation nationwide,” the briefing stated.

This marks the second time the group has been outlawed. The first ban was enforced on April 15, 2021, under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and later revoked on November 7 the same year.