Cabinet okays TLP ban after violent protests

Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved a proposal from the Punjab government to proscribe the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing a spate of deadly unrest linked to the group’s demonstrations. The decision, taken at a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, follows days of violent protests across Punjab that officials say left multiple people dead, including a police station house officer and a passerby.

According to the official declaration, the approval was unanimous. The interior ministry presented the summary, while senior Punjab officials joined the meeting via video link to brief members on the law-and-order fallout. The cabinet was told that TLP’s activities had repeatedly triggered chaos and posed a threat to public safety since the organisation’s inception in 2016.

Officials reminded the cabinet that a similar ban was imposed in 2021 but later lifted on assurances the group would avoid violent or disruptive actions. Authorities say those undertakings were violated, and past rallies and sit-ins have resulted in casualties among security personnel and civilians.

The cabinet directed the Ministry of Interior to complete all legal formalities needed to enforce the ban. As per the process, the Ministry of Law and Justice will file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days. Once the top court upholds the government’s move, the Election Commission of Pakistan is expected to denotify TLP as a political party.