Islamabad, October 23, 2025: The federal government on Thursday approved a ban on the religiopolitical party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), following a summary forwarded by the Punjab government earlier this month.
According to a statement issued after a meeting of the federal cabinet, the decision was taken after deliberations on the Punjab government’s recommendation, citing the group’s involvement in violent protests and attacks on law enforcement personnel.
Earlier, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari had hinted at the impending decision during a press conference in Lahore, saying the Punjab government had “prepared its case” and sent it to the Centre. “The decision regarding an extremist party is expected shortly,” she said.
Bokhari said that police personnel had been tortured and their vehicles snatched during recent TLP protests, which were held under the banner of “solidarity with Gaza.” The demonstrations, she said, had resulted in widespread arson, vandalism, and injuries to police officials.
“Those who came out on streets for the liberation of Gaza and Palestine set fire to public and private property,” the minister said.
The provincial government has since taken several measures to curb extremism and the proliferation of weapons. Bokhari said 28 weapons dealers’ licences had been suspended, while shops of unlicensed dealers were sealed. She announced that no new arms licences would be issued in Punjab and reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy on illegal weapons trade.
The minister revealed that over one million people in Punjab currently possess arms licences, describing it as a major challenge for maintaining peace. She added that 47,918 security companies and over 42,000 institutions hold weapons licences across the province.
Bokhari also displayed photographs of weapons and ammunition allegedly seized from TLP activists, claiming they had snatched firearms, tear gas guns, and anti-riot gear from police in multiple past protests.
“This is their modus operandi. They surround police, snatch vehicles and weapons, and use them later,” she said, citing records from the 2021 protest where TLP activists allegedly took away 3,498 tear gas shells, 326 anti-riot kits, and several firearms.
In the latest protest, the minister said TLP workers damaged eight police vehicles and snatched a submachine gun, pistols, and 945 bullets. They also destroyed Safe City cameras, she added.
According to Bokhari, a special prosecution cell has been established to handle cases related to the TLP. So far, 559 suspects have been remanded, 161 sent to jail, and 190 placed on judicial remand.
The minister said authorities had also blocked 75 social media links spreading hate and arrested 107 individuals for inciting violence online. Citizens, she added, can report information about “extremist elements or illegal residents” by calling the police helpline 15, with assurance of confidentiality.
Bokhari reiterated that forcibly closing shops or transport through strike calls — locally known as dala culture — would not be tolerated, and terrorism charges would be filed against those involved.
She also announced a ban on posters, pamphlets, and other publicity material promoting extremist groups, while operations against illegal residents, including unregistered Afghan nationals, are underway.
The Punjab government’s move to ban the TLP was initiated in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on October 16, days after violent clashes erupted during the group’s “Gaza solidarity” march from Lahore towards Islamabad.
The march — blocked by law enforcement agencies in Muridke — led to deadly clashes on October 13 when security forces dismantled the protest camp, resulting in multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries, including to police officials.
Since then, police have arrested numerous TLP activists under terrorism charges, and the whereabouts of party chief Saad Rizvi remain unconfirmed. Authorities claim he and his brother Anas Rizvi fled to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while TLP sources allege he is in custody.
The October 16 meeting also decided to place the TLP leadership in the Fourth Schedule of the ATA, targeting individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism or sectarian activities.
Bokhari later revealed that 3,800 TLP financiers had been identified and their funding channels blocked, with legal proceedings initiated. She alleged that gold, silver, luxury watches, and other valuables were seized from Saad Rizvi’s residence, alongside benami property records.
Additionally, 95 bank accounts linked to TLP leadership have been frozen, and the management of 130 TLP-affiliated mosques and 223 seminaries has been taken over by the Auqaf Department.
“This is not an action against any sect but against extremist ideology,” Bokhari clarified.
The federal government had previously banned the TLP in April 2021 under the ATA on Punjab’s recommendation, but the ban was revoked in November 2021 after a government agreement with the group.
