LAHORE:
The PML-N-led Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and decided to recommend to the Center that a complete ban be imposed on the religious party, whose Gaza March was forcibly 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 killing of police officers and destruction of public property will be tried in anti-terrorism courts (ATC).
The Punjab Police claimed that during the Muridke crackdown, TLP protesters resorted to violence which resulted in the death of a Station House Officer (SHO). Forty-eight police and rangers were also injured during the clashes and 17 were injured by gunfire.
Three TLP workers and a bystander 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 Speakers Act.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Home Department invoked Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across the province, imposing an immediate 10-day ban on all assemblies, meetings, processions and sit-ins of four or more people in public spaces.
The order issued cited “credible reports and intelligence from law enforcement and intelligence agencies indicating a serious and imminent threat to public peace, tranquility and security of life and property.”
The ban includes a complete ban 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 promised to employ AI to help 27,000 district police along with 12,000 special branch officials identify designated suspects in terror cases, particularly recently registered against TLP activists.
Authorities have registered 305 cases under terrorism clauses and 480 cases under other sections of the law against TLP protesters. In recent cases alone, according to police sources, 1,529 identified suspects and 17,812 unidentified defendants have been prosecuted.
The IGP has finalized lists identifying 4,500 prominent TLP leaders and workers across the province for arrest. The police have so far detained 3,400 people, of which 326 have been detained in Lahore alone.
Police records show arrests in 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) on charges of terrorism, attempt to murder, dacoity, incitement and armed assault on police.
An anti-terrorism court sent 98 detained TLP workers to judicial remand and granted physical remand of 18 days to 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 prosecuted under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The ultra-Orthodox party was also banned in April 2021 following violent protests following the arrest of its leader Saad Rizvi under anti-terrorism laws. However, the ban was later lifted after negotiations with the PTI government.
The TLP has become a major political force in recent years, becoming the fourth largest party in Pakistan after the 2024 general election with almost 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 an offensive, remains unknown. Lahore DIG Faisal Kamran had said Rizvi escaped during the police operation, but said his location had been traced and an arrest was imminent.
Authorities also launched 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 prompt remediation is required to preemptively address potential threats and maintain law and order across the province.
