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 forcefully 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 death of police officers and destruction of public property will be brought before Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs).
The Punjab Police claimed that during the Muridke attack, TLP protesters resorted to violence resulting in the death of a Station House Officer (SHO). 48 police and Rangers personnel also sustained injuries during the clashes with 17 injured by gunshots.
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 decided 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.
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 Minister invoked Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across the entire province and imposed an immediate 10-day ban on all assemblies, gatherings, processions and sit-ins of four or more people in public spaces.
The order issued cited “credible reports and intelligence from law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies indicating a serious and imminent threat to public peace, tranquility and the safety 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’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Usman Anwar, to employ AI to help 27,000 district police personnel along with 12,000 special branch officials to identify the suspects nominated in terror cases, especially registered recently against TLP activists.
Authorities have registered 305 cases under terrorism clauses and 480 cases under other laws against TLP protesters. In recent cases alone, 1,529 named suspects and 17,812 unidentified accused have been arrested, according to police sources.
The IGP has finalized lists identifying 4,500 prominent TLP leaders and workers across the province for arrest. The police have so far arrested 3,400 people, of whom 326 have been detained in Lahore alone.
Police records show arrests across several 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, attempted murder, dacoity, incitement and armed assault on the police.
An anti-terrorism court has sent 98 detained TLP workers to jail on judicial remand, while giving 18 days of physical remand to 20 others.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government “will not allow anyone to hold the public hostage or attack the state,” and warned that those involved in armed resistance would be brought to justice under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The ultra-Orthodox party had also been 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 emerged as a significant political force in recent years, becoming the fourth largest party in Pakistan after the 2024 general election with nearly 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 led the party’s long march as it faced a crackdown, remain unknown. Lahore DIG Faisal Kamran had said that Rizvi fled during the police operation but said his location has been traced and an arrest is imminent.
Authorities have also launched a money laundering investigation after large amounts of cash were reportedly found during a raid at his residence in Lahore.
The government maintains that immediate prevention and rapid remediation is required to prevent potential threats and maintain law and order throughout the province.
