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Punjab Forwards Summary to Ban TLP After Violent Protests: Azma Bokhari
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari confirms the provincial cabinet has approved and forwarded the summary to ban TLP to the Centre. She says Pakistan “cannot afford extremism anymore” after last week’s violent protests.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-17
Punjab Forwards Summary to Ban TLP After Violent Protests: Azma Bokhari

Punjab Government Seeks Federal Ban on TLP After Violent Protests: Azma Bokhari

LAHORE — Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari announced on Friday that the provincial government has forwarded a summary to the federal government seeking a ban on the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following recent violent protests.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bokhari said the Punjab cabinet had approved the proposal before forwarding it to the Centre. “The legal requirement with regard to the provinces has been fulfilled,” she stated.

The move follows TLP’s recent protest march “in solidarity with Gaza,” which turned violent after police launched a pre-dawn operation in Muridke earlier this week. The clashes resulted in chaos, injuries, and dozens of arrests, effectively ending the protest.

Bokhari criticized the group’s history of violent demonstrations, recalling its past protests in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022 that disrupted life across Pakistan. “This is not the first time this group has resorted to violence. Pakistan cannot afford this anymore,” she stressed.

The minister said multiple attempts were made to engage with the TLP leadership peacefully before the crackdown. “They were told people are celebrating peace in Gaza, yet they chose violence — burning vehicles and attacking policemen,” she said, adding that 1,648 police personnel were injured, including 202 seriously.

Bokhari emphasized that the government’s action was not against any religious party but against “an extremist group creating law and order crises.” She added that the provincial government has decided to seek the inclusion of TLP leaders in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and will enforce zero tolerance for hate speech or incitement.

She further revealed that cases are being registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for hateful social media content glorifying the protests. “All social media and bank accounts of the extremist group will be sealed,” she confirmed.

In addition, the Punjab government has announced a complete ban on the display of weapons and has suspended the issuance of new weapon licences. Legal gun owners are required to register their weapons at Khidmat Centres within a month, while illegal weapons must be surrendered or face terrorism charges.

Referring to a protest call for Friday, Bokhari thanked traders, transporters, and the public for “rejecting the call” and supporting peace.

Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar warned that no individual or group would be allowed to take the law into their hands. “Punjab police is ensuring safety, law, and order across the province,” he said, confirming Section 144 remains enforced.

The Punjab government had earlier banned TLP in April 2021, later lifting the ban after a deal with the group. With the latest unrest, the province has again moved to outlaw the organization, citing repeated threats to public safety and stability.
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