The Punjab government has moved to ban the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) due to a history of violent protests, damage to public property, and attacks on law enforcement personnel. Justifications for this tough decision revolve around violent extremism concerns and emphasis on the need to maintain public order.
A similar federal ban was imposed on the TLP in April 2021 following violent anti-France protests, but it was lifted in November of the same year after the government reached a deal with the group. The right to protest is a fundamental aspect of our Constitution.
However, the selection of an appropriate timing, venue, and method of protest is very important. Responsibility of keeping the whole event within the confines of law solely rests with the group or party calling the public out on roads for the protest. Like always, the protest called by the TLP led to violent clashes between the protestors and LEAs.
Critics questioned why the protest was announced at a time when efforts for a peace mechanism had visibly reached a logical end and Palestinians took a sigh of relief.
TLP’s protest convoy was destined for the federal capital, Islamabad, and got stuck at Muridke. The closure of main roads in Punjab and the federal capital, Islamabad, caused countless inconveniences to the common masses. TLP has a bleak history of protests which turned unruly. Previous sit-in episodes at the Faizabad Interchange in Rawalpindi-Islamabad caused substantial disruptions to daily life, leaving citizens irked and helpless.
The present fragile security environment is not suitable for massive protest assemblies and long marches, which offer exploitable gaps to anti-state elements. Ironically, TLP ignored the surging terrorism in two provinces and cross-border joint attacks of the Afghan army and terrorists affiliated with Fitna-e Khwarij (FAK) on Pakistani posts.
As per TLP, the protest was meant to support the victims of Gaza. Critics questioned why the protest was announced at a time when efforts for a peace mechanism had visibly reached a logical end and Palestinians took a sigh of relief. TLP’s insistence on long march and subsequent protest assembly in the Red Zone diplomatic enclave was unnecessary. With the rise of social media, numerous platforms are now available for individuals and organisations to express their opinions, including Vlogs, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and podcasts.
These modern tools offer alternative means to voice dissent, beyond traditional methods like speeches, publications, long marches and sit-ins. It would have been better for TLP to avoid agitation on roads and express solidarity with Palestinians using more peaceful means like Friday prayer sermons, X campaigns, podcasts and speeches in local gatherings.
Government concerns about law and order threats are valid because TLP has repeatedly challenged state authority through violent marches, sit-ins, and blocking of major road arteries, paralysing cities and causing widespread chaos. Armed protesters damaged public and state properties during the course of violent agitations. The Punjab government has accused the TLP of inciting people to violence and spreading hatred.
The strategy of TLP, which includes calls for violence against those perceived to have committed blasphemy, was a significant point of concern in the past as well. According to state authorities, the TLP was using religious platforms to create unrest and regularly refused to engage in constructive dialogue. Violence through the exploitation of religious sentiments has always remained a top priority for the group.
The Punjab government forwarded a summary to the federal government to impose the ban under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Actions accompanying the proposed ban include placing TLP leadership on the Fourth Schedule of the ATA (restricting their movement), seizing the party’s assets, freezing bank accounts, and cracking down on illegal weapons possession.
TLP support camp comprises the Barelvi school of thought, which traditionally practices the peaceful teachings of the Muslim saints. Unfortunately, the violent methodology of TLP has started tainting the shining image of a peace-loving school of thought. While banning the TLP, the government should strictly avoid discrimination and use uniform scales for all religious or political groups. It is about time for the state to restore its writ and impose the law of the land without fear of any extremist group.
The writer is a freelance contributor based in Islamabad.