LAHORE: The Punjab government on Thursday announced it will recommend to the federal government that a ban be imposed on the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), as part of a sweeping crackdown on what officials described as an extremist outfit.
The decision was taken during an extraordinary meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, which reviewed the province’s law and order situation following violent clashes earlier this week. According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, historic decisions were made to establish the state’s writ and supremacy of law.
While the official handout refrained from naming the group, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari confirmed that the measures were directed at the TLP.
Under the decisions approved, the provincial government will recommend the federal government to impose a formal ban on the TLP, while its leadership will be placed on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 a list of individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism or sectarian activity.
The government also ordered that individuals involved in hate speech, incitement and violation of law will be arrested immediately.
Cases against those accused of killing police officers or damaging public property during recent clashes are to be tried in Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs).
In a wide-ranging move to dismantle the group’s infrastructure, the Punjab government directed that all properties and assets of the TLP be transferred to the Auqaf Department.
The CM Office further stated that all bank accounts of the party would be frozen, while its social media platforms spreading hatred would be taken down.
A complete ban on TLP’s posters, banners and advertisements was also announced. Additionally, the government vowed strict enforcement of the Loudspeaker Act, warning of arrests and fines for violations.
The meeting also decided on measures concerning the Afghan community in Punjab, including bringing Afghan citizens into the tax net and compiling a real-time database of illegal residents.
A whistleblower system will be introduced to report illegal immigrants, ensuring complete confidentiality of informants. A combing operation was ordered against illegal residents and their businesses, with immediate deportation in line with federal policy.
Simultaneously, the Home Department gave a one-month ultimatum for surrendering illegal weapons. Citizens were advised to register their legal arms through Police Khidmat Markaz, while the issuance of new arms licences was suspended.
The government also proposed to regularise arms manufacturers and enhanced punishment for illegal arms possession to 14 years imprisonment and an Rs2 million fine, making the offence non-bailable.
The move comes after a pre-dawn operation in Muridke earlier this week to dismantle the TLP’s protest camp a demonstration originally billed as a Gaza solidarity march.
The operation triggered violent clashes and led to the arrest of 2,716 individuals, including 251 in Lahore and 178 in Sheikhupura, according to official figures.
Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said that action against TLP activists will mirror the post May 9 crackdown on PTI rioters, adding that about 2,800 individuals linked to the group had also been barred from travelling abroad.
The latest developments mark a renewed push to curb the TLP’s activities after several years of unrest linked to the group. The party was previously banned in April 2021, but the proscription was lifted later that year following a deal between the government and the group’s leadership.
Separately, the Punjab government has appointed Advocate Supreme Court Rana Shakeel Ahmed Khan and Advocate High Court Chaudhry Khalid Rasheed as special public prosecutors for all TLP-related cases in Lahore and Sheikhupura.
The appointments, made under Section 18 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, were notified following a recommendation by the Punjab police’s legal branch.
The prosecutors will coordinate with investigation officers and joint investigation teams to ensure efficient case preparation and prosecution before ATCs and the Lahore High Court.