ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
In the meeting, the cabinet was briefed on TLP’s role in inciting violence and unrest across the country. Punjab government officials participated via video link. The cabinet noted that since its formation in 2016, TLP had been involved in stirring unrest and violence, including in 2021, when a ban was briefly imposed but lifted after the group promised to cease violent actions. However, TLP’s recent activities have violated those assurances, prompting the renewed ban.
The cabinet unanimously agreed that TLP’s violent protests, which have led to the deaths of security personnel and civilians, justified the ban. The Ministry of Interior has been tasked with initiating the legal process, including referring the matter to the Ministry of Law, which will file a formal reference with the Supreme Court. If the court approves the ban, the Election Commission will de-notify TLP, enforcing the ban.
The Punjab government had earlier sent a request for the ban, which the Ministry of Interior presented in today’s Cabinet meeting. The summary cited TLP’s involvement in hate speech, sectarian violence, and destruction of property.
The charge sheet included allegations of TLP’s role in violence against minorities, mob attacks, weapon manufacturing, and sectarian violence, particularly during Muharram in Sheikhupura and Mianwali, which resulted in 70 injuries and five deaths. Recent protests also caused injuries to six people, including a police officer killed in action, and left 47 police personnel wounded, some permanently disabled.
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