Federal cabinet approves ban on TLP

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the imposition of a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

According to sources, the cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, included a summary recommending the ban on TLP in its agenda.

After a detailed review, the cabinet approved the move to outlaw the group under Section 11B(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Sources said the cabinet has directed the federal interior ministry to complete the procedural formalities.

It is worth mentioning that the Punjab government had earlier sent a recommendation to the federal government to impose the ban on the TLP led by Saad Rizvi.

Notably, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had also banned TLP in 2021, but the decision was revoked seven months later.

Earlier, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that a decision to ban the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) is expected soon, following a wave of violent protests and property damage across the province.

She said that while TLP activists were “roaming freely and creating panic among citizens,” the government had now decided to act decisively to restore order.

Bukhari accused TLP workers of vandalising public and private property, looting shops, and even snatching vehicles from citizens during recent demonstrations. “The so-called spoils of war they collected are known to everyone,” she remarked, adding that the group’s actions had disrupted peace and security in Punjab.

Earlier, Muridke police registered three more FIRs against TLP chief Hafiz Saad Rizvi, his brother Anas Rizvi, members of the party’s consultative council, and several protesters for October protests in Punjab as the members tried to enter Islamabad.

She confirmed that Section 144 remains enforced across the province, making any unauthorised public gathering illegal. Those found carrying unlicensed weapons or organising armed groups would face strict action, she warned. “No one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state,” she said.

Bukhari also revealed that the government had intensified its crackdown on illegal arms, with 28 arms dealers’ licences cancelled and several unlicensed shops sealed. “Over one million people in Punjab currently hold weapons, and more than 42,000 licenses are registered under various institutions,” she said, reiterating that no new licences will be issued.

Earlier, Azma Bukhari said that 1.92 kilograms of gold, 898 grams of silver, 69 branded watches, gold bangles, bracelets, necklaces, silver crowns, rings, and INR 50,000 have been recovered from TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s residence..

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, she said that 91 bank accounts of Saad Rizvi have been frozen. She said that terrorism cases will be registered against those providing financial support to the TLP as many as 3,800 facilitators have been identified.

Bukhari said the government has no plans to move the grave of TLP founder Khadim Rizvi but gatherings for fundraising or inciting unrest at the site would not be allowed.

She said that TLP activists spread propaganda about “dead bodies” during the protest, adding that three civilians — all bystanders — were killed in the Muridke incident, while 45 others were injured.

During violent protests, she said, 110 policemen were also wounded.