The Interior Ministry informed the cabinet about the religious group’s activities, then was ordered to pursue legal steps
The federal cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik in Pakistan under Article 17 of the Constitution, following a recommendation from the Punjab government.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held in Islamabad on Thursday to review law and order and recent activities of the group. The cabinet members were briefed about Punjab’s proposal to ban the religious group during the meeting. The Interior Ministry presented a detailed report on the TLP’s activities and subsequently received formal instructions to take the necessary legal steps.
The meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, also reviewed the economic and political situation in the country and discussed developments following the recent ceasefire agreement with Afghanistan.
During the session, Defense Minister Khwaja Asif briefed the cabinet on the details of the Afghan deal, while members also approved decisions taken earlier by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Affairs.
Punjab proposed to center to ban TLP
Last week, the Punjab government had recommended to the Center that a total ban be imposed on the religious party, whose march in Gaza was forcibly dispersed by authorities on October 13 in Muridke.
In a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, it was agreed that TLP leaders and workers involved in the death of policemen and destruction of public property would be tried in Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATC).
The Punjab Police claimed that during the Muridke crackdown, TLP protesters resorted to violence which led to the death of a police station house officer (SHO). Forty-eight police officers and members of the Rangers were also injured during the clashes, including 17 by gunfire. Three TLP workers and a bystander also lost their lives, while at least 30 civilians were injured.
The TLP had planned to march to Islamabad to protest in front of the US embassy in solidarity with the Palestinians. As police and protesters clashed, demonstrators set fire to dozens of vehicles.
After negotiations failed, the government took repressive measures, launching a six-hour operation at 3 a.m. in Muridke to disperse the protest. This led to mass arrests, with the TLP claiming the deaths of several workers, including conflicting reports that party leader Saad Rizvi was shot and injured.
In view of the violence, the meeting decided to bring the TLP leadership under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997. It decided to hand over all properties and assets of the party to the Auqaf Department and impose a total ban on its posters, banners and advertisements.
TLP social media accounts will also be blocked. All bank accounts of the party will be frozen and strict action will be taken for any violation of the loudspeaker law.
TLP: From the legacy of Khadim Rizvi to the rise of Saad Rizvi
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has emerged as one of the most important religious and political movements in Pakistan in recent years. The party’s roots date back to 2015, when its founder, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, established it with the primary aim of defending Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
Khadim Hussain Rizvi, a fiery cleric known for his impassioned speeches delivered from a wheelchair, has quickly gained popularity among Pakistan’s predominantly Sunni population. His strong oratorical skills and uncompromising stance on religious issues made him a central figure in the country’s religious politics.
In November 2017, Rizvi led a long march from Lahore to Islamabad, culminating in the Faizabad sit-in near Rawalpindi. The protest targeted the then Pakistan Muslim League (N) government and its law minister, accusing them of introducing controversial amendments related to the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (Finality of Prophethood) oath and protecting the Ahmadi minority.
The Aasia Bibi affair
In 2018, the TLP took to the streets again following the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. The subsequent nationwide protests further strengthened the TLP’s image as a powerful religious movement.
The same year, the TLP participated in the 2018 general elections, gaining enough votes to become Pakistan’s fifth political party – a remarkable achievement for a newly formed movement.
Death of Khadim Rizvi
In November 2020, Khadim Hussain Rizvi made headlines with a statement in which he threatened to expose the establishment’s role in the 2017 Faizabad sit-in during his next Friday sermon. However, before he could deliver it, he fell ill – apparently from COVID-19 – and died on November 19, 2020.
After his death, his eldest son, Saad Hussain Rizvi, was chosen as the new emir (leader) of the TLP. Saad received his early education at his father’s seminary and was quickly recognized for continuing his father’s mission with renewed organizational discipline and strategy.
Saad Rizvi and the TLP’s growing political base
Under the leadership of Saad Rizvi, the TLP expanded its political reach, particularly in Punjab. According to a Gallup survey, the party received 2.89 million votes in Punjab in the 2024 general elections, making it the third largest political party in the province. However, the survey also indicated a decline in the TLP’s vote bank in Sindh.
In comparison, the TLP received 2.2 million votes in Punjab in the 2018 elections, suggesting a clear upward trend in public support during Saad Rizvi’s tenure.
Despite frequent controversies surrounding its protests and hardline stance, the TLP continues to exert significant influence in Pakistan’s religious and political landscape. It remains to be seen whether Saad Rizvi can transform the movement from a street protest force into a sustainable political entity – but the party’s growing vote share indicates its deep and lasting impact on Pakistani politics.
