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Punjab Forms 12 Joint Investigation Teams to Probe Cases Against Banned TLP
Punjab government forms 12 JITs to investigate cases against banned TLP in Lahore and Sheikhupura. The crackdown intensifies after violent clashes and protests.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-19
Punjab Forms 12 Joint Investigation Teams to Probe Cases Against Banned TLP

The Punjab government has set up 12 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) to investigate multiple cases registered against the now-banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore and Sheikhupura districts, following a series of violent clashes and protests. The teams were announced in notifications issued by the provincial home department, with the majority of them dated November 6. One notification was issued earlier on October 31.

Of the 12 teams, five are dedicated to investigating cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, registered in Sheikhupura district, including four in Muridke tehsil and one in Ferozewala. The remaining seven JITs are focused on cases registered in Lahore, including incidents in the Nawankot, Shahdara, and Ravi Road areas.

Each JIT for the Sheikhupura cases will comprise six members, including a superintendent of police (SP), sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), station house officer (SHO), investigating officer (IO), a representative from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the rank of deputy superintendent of police (DSP), and a co-opted member. In Lahore, the JITs will have five members, including an SP Investigation, DSP Investigation, IO, a CTD representative, and a co-opted member.

The notification also outlined the responsibility of the JIT convener to assign one team member to submit the investigation report, as per the requirements of Section 19(1) of the ATA 1997.

Crackdown on TLP Following Violent Protests

The formation of these JITs comes amid a renewed crackdown on TLP following a violent clash between the group’s supporters and law enforcement agencies in Muridke last month. TLP had organized a protest march aimed at showing solidarity with Gaza and Palestine, planning to reach Islamabad and stage a demonstration outside the US embassy. However, the march turned violent as clashes erupted between TLP protesters and security forces. Reports indicated that TLP workers attacked law enforcement personnel, leading to the government’s decision to ban the group.

The federal government imposed a ban on TLP after the Punjab government accused the group of being involved in terrorism and violent acts. The action came after the party’s protests escalated, resulting in widespread violence and a high number of criminal cases against TLP members.

Search for TLP Leaders

Alongside the formation of JITs, authorities are intensifying their search for TLP Chief Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas Rizvi. The two men, who are considered high-profile targets by the Punjab police, are wanted in over 100 criminal cases. Both were placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) on October 29 to prevent them from leaving the country.

As of November 13, police in Lahore had arrested 1,250 key TLP members, including financiers and workers wanted for criminal activities. The majority of the arrests have been made in Lahore, the hub of TLP operations. The police are particularly focused on apprehending hardcore members of the group from the city, and efforts include geofencing data collected from the route used by TLP to march on Islamabad and the site of the clashes in Muridke.

The crackdown continues daily, with police raids being conducted at the homes of TLP members. Many families of the wanted members have reportedly gone into hiding to avoid arrest, and some have locked their homes due to the frequent raids.

Freezing of TLP Assets

The provincial government has also taken action against TLP’s financial assets. On Tuesday, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari announced that assets worth Rs23.40 billion belonging to TLP had been frozen. In addition, 92 bank accounts linked to the banned organization have also been seized, marking a significant step in curbing TLP’s financial activities.

The crackdown on TLP and the formation of JITs signal the Punjab government’s determination to clamp down on the group’s violent activities and its influence in the region.
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