The federal cabinet has given the go-ahead to ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act following a request from the Punjab government, citing violent protests in the province that left several people dead and scores injured.
The decision was ‘taken’ during today’s session of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which deliberated on the Punjab government’s request to ban the party.
The cabinet issued directives to the Interior Ministry to carry out legal procedures to enforce the ban.
The move follows a series of violent TLP protests that erupted earlier this month after police dismantled a protest camp in Muridke, leading to clashes that resulted in the death of a police station house officer (SHO) and three others, including a bystander.
Well-placed sources said the case regarding the TLP ban will be sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice, which will formally file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days of cabinet approval to meet legal requirements.
The TLP will be denotified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) once the top court approves the federal government’s reference, they added.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
