Pakistan bans TLP under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
The federal cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to proscribe the religio-political group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), following days of violent nationwide protests that left several protesters and police officers dead and paralyzed major highways from Karachi to Islamabad.
The decision came during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, based on a recommendation from the Punjab government, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The PMO said the ban was “unanimously approved” by the cabinet after the interior ministry briefed members on what it described as the TLP’s “violent and terrorist activities.”
The ministry noted that the TLP had repeatedly incited unrest across the country despite previous commitments to avoid violence.
Formed in 2015 as a movement and registered as a political party in 2016, the TLP was earlier banned by the PTI government in 2021 after similar violent protests. That ban was lifted six months later when the group pledged to remain peaceful — a commitment officials say it has now violated.
“In the past, security personnel and innocent bystanders have been killed in violent protests and rallies by the TLP,” the PMO statement said.
Earlier this week, the TLP Ban came after the Punjab government froze 95 bank accounts and sealed properties registered in the name of TLP chief Saad Rizvi. Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari said authorities had also identified 3,800 additional national and international bank accounts allegedly used to finance the group.
She added that “significant assets” were recovered from Saad Rizvi’s residence, including 1.92 kilograms of gold, 898 grams of silver, 69 branded watches, and several other valuable ornaments.
Meanwhile, a Punjab Police spokesperson confirmed that an operation was launched after TLP workers allegedly attacked security forces using stones, spiked sticks, and petrol bombs.
A case was subsequently registered against the group’s leadership and workers at the Muridke city police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act and other criminal charges.
During the clashes, one Station House Officer (SHO) was martyred, while 48 police and Rangers personnel sustained injuries — 17 of them from gunfire. Officials said three TLP protesters and one passerby were also killed, while eight civilians were injured.
