LAHORE:
The PML-N-led Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and decided to recommend 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.
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.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Home Department invoked Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) across the province, imposing an immediate 10-day ban on all assemblies, rallies, processions and sit-ins of four or more people in public spaces.
The order issued cited “credible reports and intelligence from law enforcement and intelligence agencies indicating a serious and imminent threat to public peace, tranquility and security of lives and property.”
The ban includes a complete ban on carrying or displaying weapons, using loudspeakers (except for Azan and Friday sermons in mosques), and publishing or disseminating provocative, hateful, or sectarian material.
Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar has pledged to use AI to help 27,000 district police personnel as well as 12,000 special branch officials in identifying named suspects in terrorism cases, especially registered recently against TLP activists.
Authorities registered 305 cases under anti-terrorism clauses and 480 cases under other sections of the law against TLP protesters. In recent cases alone, 1,529 named suspects and 17,812 unidentified defendants have been incarcerated, according to police sources.
The IGP finalized lists identifying 4,500 prominent TLP leaders and workers across the province for arrest. Police have arrested 3,400 people so far, including 326 in Lahore alone.
Police records show arrests in several districts: 251 in Lahore, 178 in Sheikhupura, 190 in Mandi Bahauddin, 155 in Rawalpindi, 143 in Faisalabad, 135 in Gujranwala, 128 in Sialkot and 121 in Attock.
Authorities have registered 76 criminal cases across Punjab – 39 in Lahore alone – for terrorism, attempt to murder, dacoity, incitement and armed assault on police.
An anti-terrorism court sent 98 detained TLP workers to pretrial detention and granted 18-day remand to 20 others.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government “will not allow anyone to take the public hostage or attack the state”, warning that those involved in armed resistance would be tried under the anti-terrorism law.
The ultra-Orthodox party was also banned in April 2021 after violent protests following the arrest of its leader Saad Rizvi under anti-terrorism laws. However, the ban was later lifted after negotiations with the PTI government.
The TLP has become an important political force in recent years, becoming Pakistan’s fourth-largest party after the 2024 general elections with nearly 2.9 million votes, and Punjab’s third-largest party with around 2.5 million votes.
The whereabouts of TLP leader Saad Rizvi, who led the party’s long march when it faced repression, are still unknown. Lahore DIG Faisal Kamran had said that Rizvi had escaped during the police operation, but said his whereabouts had been traced and an arrest was imminent.
Authorities also launched a money laundering investigation after large sums of cash were allegedly recovered during a raid on his Lahore residence.
The government maintains that immediate prevention and rapid remediation are necessary to preemptively respond to potential threats and maintain public order throughout the province.
