Azma Bokhari signals imminent federal decision on TLP ban

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said a federal decision on the province’s request to outlaw Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan is expected soon, as the cabinet takes up the matter. At a news conference in Lahore, she denounced recent violent demonstrations and alleged that protesters, rallying under the banner of solidarity with Gaza, torched property and attacked officials.

Bokhari maintained that police officers were assaulted and vehicles snatched during the unrest, adding that, going forward, arms licences of any kind would not be issued in the province as part of a broader push to curb gun culture. The minister said the goal is to move towards an “arms-free Punjab.”

She cited a deadly sequence of clashes this month that left a police station house officer and three others, including a passer-by, dead. According to officials, at least 1,648 police personnel were injured and dozens of vehicles and commercial properties were set ablaze.

Following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the provincial government approved tough measures to counter extremism, including strict enforcement of the Loudspeaker Act, creation of whistle-blower cells in every district, and deployment of mobile police stations. Authorities also announced crackdowns on illegal weapons and illicit networks, and warned property owners against renting to undocumented residents.

The provincial summary seeking a ban on TLP has been forwarded to the Centre. Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reiterated that the state must act firmly against violent extremism and operate strictly within the law and constitution.