Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Thursday reiterated that a decision on the “fate of an extremist party”—referring to the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP)—was expected shortly from the federal government.
“The Punjab government had prepared its case on this and forwarded it,” she said, referring to the province seeking a ban on the group after violent demonstrations earlier this month that left at least five people, including a police officer, dead.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, she summarized steps taken by the Punjab government in the aftermath of the TLP protest. As part of the measures, she explained, the government has initiated a crackdown on the possession of illegal weapons and licenses. She said the provincial government had “suspended the licenses of 28 weapons dealers and the shops of some other fake dealers without licenses have been sealed.”
Bokhari warned zero tolerance for buying and selling of weapons in Punjab, adding the province would not issue any new licenses for weapons. She noted that around one million people in the province possess valid weapons licenses. “A province where such a large number have licenses for weapons, you can figure out how big a challenge it is there to maintain peace,” she said, adding 47,918 security companies have licenses, while those issued to institutions exceed 42,000.
The minister said several arms and ammunition were seized from people affiliated with the TLP. She said the group had damaged eight police vehicles and snatched a submachine gun, two 12-bore pistols, and 945 bullets during their recent protest. They also snatched 197 helmets, 22 kits, 130 “safety sheets”, one tear gas guns and 984 tear gas shells. She said they also damaged Safe City cameras.
According to Bokhari, a special prosecution cell has charged 559 suspects of the TLP, with 161 sent to jail and 190 on judicial remand. She said authorities had also blocked 75 accounts for sharing hateful and inciting material online, while 107 people had been apprehended.
Tough measures
The minister’s press conference came a day after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting approving a raft of decisive measures to curb extremism and enforce the state’s writ.
The meeting authorized strict action against anyone taking up arms against the state and finalized steps to strengthen the rule of law and public safety. It also ordered strict enforcement of the Loudspeaker Act and the establishment of whistleblower cells in every district to encourage reporting of suspicious activity. For this purpose, a dedicated cell within the Punjab Police Helpline 15 would be established to receive complaints and intelligence on extremist groups and illegal international residents.
The provincial government also resolved to intensify operations against illegal weapons, corruption, and mafia networks, while promoting a culture of transparency and accountability. Peace committees will be made more active and inclusive immediately, ensuring community participation in ongoing operations.
In line with the government’s vision of taking governance to citizens’ doorsteps, mobile police stations would soon be deployed across the province to provide easy access to police services.
During the meeting, the minister clarified that ongoing operations are targeting extremist elements and not any sect or religious community. She also sought daily progress reports from district administrations, seeking details on actions taken against illegal residents, including those engaged in business activities, those brought into the tax net, and those transferred to deportation centers.
The meeting strictly warned property owners against renting shops or houses to illegal residents, with violators to be prosecuted under the Tenancy and Passport Acts. The meeting also approved a ban on advertisements, posters, and placards promoting extremist organizations.
Furthermore, the government announced that cases will be registered under the PECA Act against individuals spreading hateful or inciting content on social media. A zero-tolerance policy has been enforced across Punjab to combat online hate speech and extremism.