TLP to Be Banned: Cabinet Sends Proposal to Federal Authorities

Islamabad-The federal cabinet has approved imposing a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act, responding to a formal request from the Punjab government. The recommendation came in the wake of recent violent protests across the province that resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries.

The decision follows a wave of unrest triggered earlier this month when police dispersed a TLP protest camp in Muridke. The operation sparked intense clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, claiming the lives of a police station house officer (SHO) and three others, including a bystander.

In today’s session, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal cabinet unanimously approved declaring the TLP a proscribed organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, according to the declaration.

The summary was presented by the Ministry of Interior following a request from the Punjab government. Senior officials from Punjab also attended the meeting via video link.

A briefing apprised the cabinet members about the TLP’s violent and terrorist activities and its involvement in spreading unrest across the country since its establishment in 2016.

The meeting was told that the party’s actions had fuelled incidents of chaos and disturbance in various parts of the country.

It was further stated that the previous government had also imposed a ban on the TLP in 2021, which was lifted six months later on the condition that the organisation would refrain from engaging in violent or disruptive activities.

The new ban was imposed after the group violated those assurances.

The briefing also recalled that past violent protests, gatherings, and rallies organised by the TLP had resulted in the deaths of security personnel and innocent bystanders.

After reviewing the briefing and the Punjab government’s recommendations, the federal cabinet reached a unanimous conclusion that the TLP is involved in terrorism and violent activities.

The cabinet also issued directives to the Ministry of Interior to complete legal procedures for enforcing the ban.

Well-placed sources said that the matter regarding the ban on the TLP would be sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice, which will formally file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days following the cabinet’s approval to meet legal requirements.

The TLP would be denotified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) once the top court approves the federal government’s reference, he sources added.

Punjab seeks a ban on TLP following violent protest.

State Minister for Interior Affairs Talal Chaudhry said the government had no option but to impose a ban on the TLP after it repeatedly violated written assurances of abiding by the law.

He said that based on official reports and evidence gathered over the past ten years, the decision was necessary to maintain law and order.

Chaudhry said a second phase of legal proceedings would be launched to deal with the party’s assets, adding that those who resort to violence cannot demand political rights.

He noted that several police officials were martyred, many sustained injuries, and civilians were also killed during violent protests led by the group, which he said collected extortion money under the guise of donations.

The minister said state institutions fully back the government’s decision, stressing that extremism will no longer be tolerated and that the state will now “act as a true state.”