The order also imposes a complete ban on display of weapons and limits the use of loudspeakers except for Azaan and Friday sermons
The Punjab Home Ministry announced a seven-day extension of the implementation of Section 144 across the province, a day after the provincial cabinet forwarded a summary to the federal government seeking a formal ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.
The decision taken at the 38th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Public Order extends restrictions that were first imposed on October 8. The government cited growing security threats and terrorism concerns as the main reasons for the extension, warning that large gatherings could become “easy targets” for hostile elements.
According to an official notification, all forms of protests, rallies, sit-ins, public gatherings, processions and demonstrations are strictly prohibited throughout Punjab. Under Article 144, the gathering of four or more people in public places has been prohibited.
Read also: Punjab cabinet approves TLP ban, sends summary to Center for action
The order also imposes a complete ban on the display of weapons and limits the use of loudspeakers – with the exception of the call to prayer (Azaan) and Friday sermons. Likewise, the publication and distribution of inflammatory, hateful or sectarian material was prohibited.
Officials said the restrictions were aimed at maintaining public order and preventing anti-state elements from creating unrest. However, weddings, funerals and official functions of officials and courts were exempted from this ban.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that the order would remain in force until Friday October 24 and asked authorities to raise public awareness of the ban.
The decision came a day after the Punjab cabinet approved the proposal to ban TLP and referred the matter to the federal government for implementation.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government had decided to deal firmly with the group. “Using the name of religion, they constructed properties worth millions of rupees. Petrol pumps, luxury watches and large sums of money were recovered from them,” she said.
Read: Auqaf takes control of mosques linked to the TLP
Sharing details of the recent violence, Bokhari added that 200 police officers were injured, 17 vehicles were damaged and two completely destroyed. “An inspector was martyred, an officer was shot in the arm and another in the throat. He will never be able to speak again,” she said.
Earlier, the Punjab government and Islamabad administration launched a province-wide crackdown on the TLP, closing several of its offices, mosques and seminars amid heightened tensions ahead of the group’s planned protests.
Officials said the coordinated operation aimed to curb activities leading to unrest and prevent the misuse of religious platforms to incite violence and chaos.
