Ministry of Interior to file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days for a final decision
Federal cabinet unanimously approved a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan under the Anti-Terrorism Act, following a request from the Punjab government citing the group’s violent and extremist activities.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday. The interior ministry presented a summary recommending the ban after receiving formal approval from Punjab authorities. Senior Punjab officials joined the session via video link.
During the meeting, cabinet was briefed on the group’s history of violent protests and public disorder since its founding in 2016. The briefing noted that the TLP had repeatedly engaged in activities spreading unrest across multiple regions.
“Since 2016, this organisation has fuelled agitation nationwide,” the briefing stated, adding that past violent demonstrations had resulted in the deaths of security personnel and innocent bystanders.
The cabinet was told that in 2021, the then-government had also imposed a ban on TLP, which was lifted six months later on the condition that the group would refrain from violent or subversive acts. “The current ban is being reimposed because the organisation reneged on those commitments,” the summary said.
After reviewing Punjab’s recommendation and the security agencies’ report, the cabinet unanimously concluded that TLP was involved in terrorism and violent activities.
This marks the second time the group has been outlawed. The first ban was enforced on April 15, 2021, under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and later revoked on November 7 the same year.
Under Article 17 of the Constitution, citizens have the right to form political parties. However, under clause (2) of the article, a political party can be banned if it is found to be foreign-funded or considered a threat to national security. The federal cabinet holds the authority to approve such a ban on these grounds.
Following the government’s declaration, the Ministry of Interior is required to file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days. The Supreme Court’s decision on this reference will be final.
If the court upholds the government’s reference, the political party will be formally declared proscribed. Once banned, all public representatives belonging to that party will have their memberships immediately suspended.
Punjab proposed centre to ban TLP
Last week, Punjab government had recommend to the Centre that a complete ban be imposed on the religious party, whose Gaza March was forcefully 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 police officers and destruction of public property will be tried in anti-terrorism courts (ATCs).
The Punjab Police claimed that during the Muridke crackdown, the TLP protesters resorted to violence that resulted in the death of one station house officer (SHO). Forty-eight police and Rangers personnel also sustained injuries during the clashes with 17 wounded by gunfire. Three TLP workers and one passerby also lost their lives, while at least 30 civilians were injured.
The TLP had planned to march to Islamabad to protest outside the US Embassy in a show of solidarity with Palestinians. As police and protesters clashed, demonstrators set fire to scores of vehicles.
Following failed negotiations, the government moved to crack down, launching a six-hour operation at 3 am in Muridke to disperse the protest. This led to mass arrests, with the TLP claiming the deaths of several workers, including conflicting reports that party chief Saad Rizvi had been shot and injured.
In view of the violence, the meeting decided to place the TLP leadership under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. It resolved to hand over all properties and assets of the party to the Auqaf Department and impose a complete ban on its posters, banners, and advertisements.
The TLP’s 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 Act.
Punjab police ‘strike gold’
A day later, Punjab police conducted a raid on TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s residence and recovered a substantial quantity of gold, cash, and foreign currency.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Police, the operation, conducted in coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), led to the recovery of millions of rupees in cash including foreign currency and jewellery.
Authorities stated that police recovered Rs144.4 million in Pakistani currency, along with gold and jewellery valued at over Rs63.4 million.
The recovery included 1,922 grams of gold in the form of rings, bracelets, chains, lockets, bangles, and other items. Authorities also recovered 898 grams of silver, luxury watches and other valuables.
In addition, law enforcement officials confiscated foreign currency equivalent to more than Rs2.5 million, including Indian rupees, pound sterling, Canadian dollars, Saudi riyals and UAE dirhams.
The raid was carried out in the presence of FIA and Cyber Crime Agency representatives, who officially documented and verified the recovered items, the police spokesperson said.
From Khadim Rizvi’s legacy to Saad Rizvi’s Rise
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan has emerged as one of the most prominent religious-political movements in Pakistan in recent years. The party’s roots trace back to 2015, when its founder, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, established it with the primary aim of defending Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
Khadim Hussain Rizvi, a fiery cleric known for his passionate speeches delivered from a wheelchair, quickly gained popularity among Pakistan’s majority Sunni population. His strong oratory skills and uncompromising stance on religious issues made him a central figure in the country’s religious politics.
In November 2017, he led a long march from Lahore to Islamabad, culminating in the Faizabad sit-in near Rawalpindi. The protest targeted the then Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government and its law minister, accusing them of introducing controversial amendments related to the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (Finality of Prophethood) oath and of protecting the Ahmadi minority.
The Aasia Bibi case
In 2018, TLP again took to the streets following the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Aasia Noreen known as Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. The nationwide protests that followed further cemented TLP’s image as a powerful religious movement.
The same year, TLP contested the 2018 general elections, securing enough votes to become Pakistan’s fifth-largest political party.
Death of Khadim Rizvi
In November 2020, Khadim Hussain Rizvi made headlines with a statement in which he threatened to reveal the establishment’s role in the 2017 Faizabad sit-in during his upcoming Friday sermon. However, before he could deliver it, he fell ill — reportedly due to COVID-19 — and passed away on November 19, 2020.
Following his death, his elder son, Saad, was chosen as the new chief of TLP. Saad received his early education at his father’s seminary and quickly gained recognition for continuing his father’s mission with renewed organizational discipline and strategy.
Saad Rizvi and TLP’s growing political base
Under Saad Rizvi’s leadership, TLP expanded its political reach, particularly in Punjab. According to a Gallup survey, the party secured 2.89 million votes in Punjab during the 2024 general elections, making it the third-largest political party in the province. However, the survey also indicated a decline in TLP’s vote bank in Sindh.
In comparison, TLP had received 2.2 million votes from Punjab in the 2018 elections, suggesting a clear upward trend in public support during Saad Rizvi’s tenure.
Despite frequent controversies surrounding its protests and hardline stance, TLP continues to command significant influence in Pakistan’s religious and political landscape.
