The federal cabinet on Thursday, on a request of the Punjab government, approved a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act over its violent protests that have left at least five dead and dozens injured.
Earlier this month, the TLP staged demonstrations in Lahore and launched a long march toward March, claiming it was acting in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The demonstrators set up camp at Muridke after leaving Lahore, with police conducting a crackdown that wrapped up the protest.
The federal cabinet unanimously approved declaring the TLP a proscribed organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act. According to a statement, senior officials from Punjab briefed the meeting on the TLP’s violent protests and terrorist activities, as well the group’s involvement in spreading unrest across the country since its establishment in 2016.
The briefing apprised the cabinet that the TLP’s actions had fueled incidents of chaos and disturbance in various parts of the country. It was recalled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government had imposed a similar ban on the TLP in 2021 before lifting it six months later on assurances the group would not participate in any more violent or disruptive activities. The decision to ban the group once more follows its violation of these same assurances.
The cabinet was further informed that violent protests, gatherings, and rallies of the TLP had in the past resulted in the deaths of security personnel and innocent bystanders. In addition to approving a ban on the group, the cabinet also directed the Ministry of Interior to complete legal procedures for enforcing the ban.
The ban decision would now be forwarded to the Ministry of Law and Justice, which would formally file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days to meet legal requirements. Once the apex court approves the reference, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would denotify the TLP. The group has the option to appeal the government’s decision in high court.