LAHORE — Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari announced today that the provincial government has forwarded the cabinet-approved summary recommending a ban on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to the federal government for further action.
Speaking at a press conference, Bukhari affirmed that the province has fulfilled all legal requirements by approving and sending the recommendation. She noted that recent protests in the name of Gaza had turned violent and burdened law enforcement agencies. Bukhari pointed out that during recent unrest, 1,648 policemen were injured and that many had sustained serious injuries.
The minister defended the crackdown, stating that efforts were made to engage protest leaders, but the dialogue failed as protests spiraled into chaos. She emphasized that the state could no longer tolerate attempts to shut down cities under the guise of demonstration.
Other steps outlined by the provincial government include registering cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for social media posts deemed inflammatory, sealing party bank and social media accounts, and enforcing stricter control over loudspeakers used to incite disturbances.
Punjab’s decision comes in the wake of a failed protest march from Muridke to Islamabad organized by TLP. Authorities dismantled the camp in a pre-dawn operation, triggering clashes, mass arrests, and a breakdown in public order.
If the centre approves Punjab’s proposal, TLP could be officially banned at the national level. The final decision, however, rests with the federal government and, potentially, the courts.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.