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ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Thursday clamped down on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), acting on Punjab’s request after the group’s violent protest in Muridke. The decision, taken up in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, paved the way for a fresh ban under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The interior ministry put forward a summary recommending the move after consulting with Punjab authorities, who joined in via video link. The cabinet was briefed on the party’s violent record since 2016, noting that it had repeatedly stirred up unrest nationwide. Officials said the earlier ban, slapped on in April 2021 and later lifted, was being reimposed as the group had gone back on its pledge to abandon violence.
After weighing up Punjab’s recommendation and security reports, the cabinet agreed on branding the TLP a terrorist outfit. The Ministry of Interior will now file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days, whose verdict will seal the party’s fate. Once proscribed, all its public representatives will lose their memberships and the group’s assets will be taken over by the Auqaf Department.
Punjab had earlier called on the Centre to outlaw TLP after its “Gaza March” spun out of control in Muridke on October 13. Clashes left one police officer dead and dozens injured, while protesters set fire to vehicles and blocked off main roads. The TLP’s march, meant to show solidarity with Palestinians, ended up triggering a violent showdown when negotiations broke down.
In a follow-up meeting, the Punjab cabinet decided on putting TLP leaders under the Fourth Schedule, freezing their bank accounts, and taking down their posters and social media pages.
A day later, police raided TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s residence, turning up Rs144.4 million in cash, Rs63.4 million worth of gold, and foreign currency.
Formed in 2015 by the late cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the TLP rose to prominence by defending blasphemy laws. Under his son Saad, the group built up a strong base in Punjab, racking up nearly 2.9 million votes in 2024—making it the province’s third-largest political force despite its turbulent record.
