ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Thursday approved a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) according to officials. The decision was taken during a meeting of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Following the approval, the cabinet directed the Ministry of Interior to complete the necessary legal and procedural formalities to implement the ban. The move comes a week after the Punjab government recommended proscribing ban on the TLP, citing concerns over public order and security.
Ministry of Interior sent a summary to Federal cabinet stressing that TLP carried out voilent protests and affecting public order. The Interior ministry also said that TLP was responsible for damagibng Pakistan’s Inmage Globally.
After the approval from Federal Cabinet the Ministry of Interior will issue a notificcatio. Afterwards through Judicial Consultations the Ban would become applicable.
Earlier Ban
The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a hardline religious and political party was officially banned in April 2021 by the government of Pakistan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
The ban came after widespread protests organized by TLP following the arrest of their leader, Saad Rizvi, who had called for a protest against the government’s handling of blasphemy cases, particularly the French ambassador’s role in the controversial Charlie Hebdo caricature issue. The protests turned violent, with clashes between TLP supporters and law enforcement, leading to several deaths and injuries.
The Government accused TLP of inciting violence, threatening public safety and undermining national security. As a result, the Interior Ministry declared the party a “terrorist organization,” and it was subsequently banned.
However, the ban was lifted in November 2021 after negotiations between the government and TLP, which led to an agreement that allowed the party to resume its activities under certain conditions. TLP remains a controversial political force in Pakistan, known for its strong stance on blasphemy issues and its ability to mobilize large numbers of supporters.
