The federal government has formally banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act, declaring the group a terrorist organization and placing it on the First Schedule of proscribed outfits.
According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the federal government has determined that the outlawed TLP is involved in terrorism and violent activities. The notification, issued under the powers granted by the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, has also been communicated to all relevant institutions for implementation.
The decision follows the federal cabinet’s approval of the Punjab government’s recommendation to impose a ban on the group. During a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the cabinet was briefed on TLP’s violent and extremist activities across the country. Senior officials from the Punjab government joined the session via video link.
The cabinet was informed that since its formation in 2016, TLP has repeatedly incited unrest and chaos throughout Pakistan. The briefing noted that the group’s activities had resulted in violent incidents in several parts of the country, leading to loss of life and public disorder.
It was recalled that a previous government had also banned TLP in 2021 following a wave of violent protests, but the ban was lifted six months later after the group provided written assurances that it would refrain from violence and public unrest. The latest ban has been reimposed following TLP’s violation of those commitments.
Officials briefed the cabinet that TLP’s past protests and rallies had resulted in the deaths of security personnel and innocent bystanders. After reviewing the Punjab government’s report and the overall security situation, the federal cabinet unanimously concluded that the group remains involved in acts of terrorism and violent extremism.
Subsequently, the cabinet approved the imposition of the ban under Section 11B(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. However, officials confirmed that the final decision will also be referred to the Supreme Court for further legal proceedings.
The recent developments come after TLP announced a protest march from Lahore to Islamabad on October 10 in solidarity with the people of Gaza. The group had planned to stage a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
In response to the planned march, law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown, and several TLP activists were arrested after they staged sit-ins in Muridke and Sadhoke. Minister of State Talal Chaudhry stated that the detained protesters were found carrying glass marbles, salt, harmful chemicals, sticks, face masks, tear gas shells, and firearms. “How can this be called a peaceful protest?” he remarked.
The standoff in Muridke escalated when police dispersed the violent demonstrators, resulting in clashes that left five people dead, including a police officer and several TLP workers. According to police sources, the administration had attempted to negotiate with the protesters, offering to relocate their demonstration to another venue. However, during the talks, TLP’s leadership allegedly incited the crowd, which resorted to pelting stones, wielding spiked clubs, and using petrol bombs. Several police officers were attacked, and their weapons were snatched and used to open fire.
Police sources added that officers resorted to shelling and baton charges to prevent further escalation, but the mob carried out coordinated assaults, setting ablaze at least 40 government and private vehicles as well as shops. Post-mortem reports confirmed that the TLP workers and a passerby who died during the clashes were shot with weapons seized from law enforcement personnel.
The rioters also hijacked several vehicles, including a university bus, and carried out indiscriminate firing in multiple areas before being subdued by the police. Several suspects were later arrested, though the group’s leadership managed to flee the scene.
Following the violent protests, the Punjab cabinet, on October 17, approved a summary recommending a federal ban on the organization. Acting on this recommendation, the federal cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has now officially declared Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan a proscribed organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act
