The Punjab government will request the federal to impose a ban on an “extremist party” in view of the violent protests orchestrated across the province by the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) last week.
Chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a high-level meeting on law and order in the province resolved to “immediately” arrest anyone involved in inciting violence, spreading hatred and violating the law. A statement issued after the meeting said—without naming any specific party—that the leaders and workers of an extremist party responsible for the deaths of law enforcement personnel and involved in damaging public property would be tried in anti-terrorism courts.
The meeting also considered placing the party’s leadership on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, imposing strict limits on their movement and activities.
As part of its crackdown, the Punjab government plans to seize all of the party’s properties and assets and place them under custody of the Auqaf Department. It has also decided to remove all posters, banners and advertisements of the party; seek a ban on its social media accounts; and freezing of all associated bank accounts.
The statement warned that any misuse of loudspeakers, in violation of the Loudspeaker Act, would also trigger tough penalties.
The meeting’s decisions are being seen as an expansion of a crackdown on the TLP, initiated after the party sought to stage a long march on Islamabad for Palestine. Early on Monday, law enforcement agencies raided a TLP protest camp in Muridke, triggering violent clashes that resulted in dozens of arrests and at least five confirmed deaths, including a police official.
TLP crackdown
According to Punjab Police, they have already finalized a list of 4,500 prominent TLP leaders and workers across the province who would be placed under arrest. Local media has reported this includes 1,350 individuals from Lahore; 350 Sheikhupura; 330 Sahiwal; 450 Gujranwala; and 430 Faisalabad.
Thus far, police have registered 25 criminal cases related to the unrest from last week’s protest and confirmed the arrest of 253 suspects. Authorities are also conducting raids of businesses linked to the TLP and have also decided to take action against any individuals found to be facilitating or funding the group.
Afghan citizens
The law and order meeting in Punjab also decided to include Afghan citizens in the tax net and start collecting real-time data on those staying illegally. It agreed to introduce a whistleblower system to allow people to report illegal residents while keeping their identities confidential.
Further, the provincial government will conduct targeted operations against unregistered foreigners and their businesses, with deportations to follow under federal guidelines.
Similarly, the government has decided to crack down on anyone possessing illegal weapons, granting such citizens one month to register their legal firearms at local service centers. Arms dealers across the province will have their inventories checked, with a ban on the issuance of new licenses during this time. The province has also asked the federal government to regulate weapons manufacturers and factories.
Under a new policy, anyone possessing illegal weapons faces up to 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 2 million.