ISLAMABAD:** The Ministry of Interior on Friday officially imposed a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), declaring the religio-political organisation a proscribed entity under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997.
According to the notification, the federal government has “reasonable grounds to believe that Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is connected with and concerned in terrorism”. The group has been added to the First Schedule of the ATA in line with Section 11B(1)(a).
The notification has been conveyed to the TLP leadership and all relevant authorities.
The decision follows violent unrest earlier this month, triggered when police removed the party’s protest camp in Muridke. The clashes that ensued resulted in the death of a police station house officer (SHO) and three others, including a civilian.
The federal cabinet had approved the ban one day earlier upon a request from the Punjab government due to widespread violent demonstrations that left several people dead and dozens injured.
Officials recalled that TLP had previously been outlawed in 2021, although the restriction was lifted after six months with the commitment that the group would refrain from further violent activities.
Legal proceedings underway
The interior ministry has also initiated a constitutional process to prohibit TLP under Article 17(2) and (3) of the Constitution. A reference will be filed in the Supreme Court after consultation with the Ministry of Law and the Attorney General. The ban will only take effect if the apex court upholds the government’s decision.
Leadership “gone underground”
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated that senior TLP leaders have fled Punjab to evade arrest following the violent protests. She affirmed that law enforcement agencies are working to apprehend them.
Bukhari criticised TLP’s conduct, describing it as an extremist mindset instead of a political movement. She alleged the group has operated as a financial network while engaging in repeated violence to pressure the state.
