How the TLP’s anti-Israel rally turned into violent clashes between the religious political party and the Punjab government
Police personnel patrol a street following a crackdown on TLP party activists during an anti-Israel protest in Muridke on October 13. Photo: AFP
The Punjab government has sought the Centre’s approval to ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after days of violent clashes with law enforcement agencies. The whereabouts of TLP chief Saad Rizvi remains uncertain. Some say he is on the run, others suspect he has been arrested and others believe he has fled to Kashmir. What we do know is that he was last located in Sialkot. But can a provincial government really ban a political party with active AMP?
Lawyer Mirza Moiz Baig said The express PAkGazette“Although Article 17 of the Constitution safeguards the right of political association, that right is not exempt and certain restrictions may be imposed on that right. One such situation where restrictions may be imposed on the right of political association is when a political party acts in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan.”
He went on to detail that under Section 212 of the Electoral Act of 2017, such restrictions are permitted; However, governments can use this provision to isolate or marginalize their political opponents. To prevent such misuse, “Article 212 provides that the federal government may transmit a reference in this regard to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court will then decide whether or not a political party has actually acted in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty of the State.”
“The ruling of the Supreme Court in this regard, then, is final and binding on all parties.”
Read: Section 144 extended as Punjab govt considers TLP ban after violent protests
Ban procedure:
(1) Where, on the basis of a reference from the Commission or information received from any other source, the Federal Government is satisfied that a political party is a foreign-aided political party or has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan or is engaging in terrorism, the Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, make such declaration.
(2) Within fifteen days of submitting a declaration under subsection (1), the Government shall refer the matter to the Supreme Court.
(3) When the Supreme Court confirms the declaration made against the political party under subsection (1), said political party shall be dissolved immediately.
According to the criteria established by Article 212, is it deliberate whether the previous week of protests justifies a ban? Will the summary submitted by the Punjab provincial government be presented before the Supreme Court?
The unrest began after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a peace plan for Gaza on September 29. This plan was later ratified by several countries, including Pakistan. The deal called for an end to Israel’s two-year war on Gaza but stopped short of committing to a Palestinian state, a key demand of Pakistan and much of the international community.
Rejecting the deal as “a conspiracy to subjugate the Palestinians,” Rizvi announced an “Al-Aqsa March on Gaza” from Lahore to Islamabad, with the US embassy in the capital as the final destination.
Section 144 was imposed in two provinces, in the capital a maze of roadblocks and cargo containers, mobile internet services suspended and police personnel deployed with charged batons, all in preparation for the TLP.
Despite the restrictions, TLP workers forced their way through roadblocks and clashed with police in Lahore. According to officials, dozens of officers were injured when protesters, who moved in small, agile groups, engaged in violent exchanges.
Read more: Punjab govt pushes for ban on right-wing TLP after clashes with Muridke
Next stop, Muridke. Early in the morning, police officers carried out an operation to repress TLP members. This operation cost the lives of five people: a police officer, three TLP workers and a bystander; Protesters were accused of opening fire on police. The vehicles were on fire and the morning light was greeted with gunshots. More than 2,700 people were detained and another 2,800 were placed on the exit control list.
Rumors about Rizvi’s death during the Muridke operation further exacerbated tensions and sparked new protests across the country. Police later confirmed that he was alive and subsequent raids on his residence reportedly uncovered large quantities of gold, cash and foreign currency.
The TLP, a Barelvi Sunni political-religious group founded in 2015 by the late Hussain Rizvi, is known for its populist rhetoric and violent protests. Now led by his son, Saad Rizvi, the party calls itself “Defender of the Prophet’s Honor” (PBUH) and has built significant street power through repeated clashes with the state.
Chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial cabinet approved what it called “historic” and “extraordinary” measures, including the inclusion of the party leadership in the Fourth Schedule of the Pakistan Anti-Terrorism Act – a list of people suspected of terrorism or sectarian activity. So far, 5,000 protesters have been arrested and police are pursuing Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas.
The party has continued to grow electorally despite being briefly banned in 2021. In the last election, it emerged as Pakistan’s fourth-largest political party by vote share, winning a seat in the Punjab Assembly.
This is not the first nor the second protest that the TLP has inflicted on the province. Since its formation, the TLP has repeatedly mobilized around issues of religious sanctity, particularly defending Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, and protesting against perceived blasphemy.
And every protest brings with it the same kind of violence, parkour on cargo containers, and the expectation of a ban that, this time, may actually become a reality.
