LAHORE: As law enforcement agencies gear up for a large-scale crackdown against Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to thwart its planned protests after Friday prayers, the Punjab government has decided to recommend a fresh federal ban on the hardline religious party.
According to officials, the provincial cabinet led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also approved a proposal to place the TLP leadership in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
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Although most of the TLP’s top leaders have reportedly gone underground following the Muridke crackdown, security agencies remain on high alert after intelligence reports suggested that the group plans to stage violent demonstrations at Lahore’s Data Darbar and other sensitive points. A senior police official told Dawn that Punjab police had drawn up lists of TLP activists and were conducting overnight raids to arrest “remaining elements” of the leadership.
Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar chaired several meetings on Thursday to finalise the security plan, approving the deployment of 30,000 uniformed personnel and 12,000 plainclothes officers from the Special Branch across the province. At least five major locations in Lahore — Multan Road (TLP headquarters), Shahdara, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Baghbanpura, Thokar Niaz Baig, and Babu Sabu Interchange — have been declared “sensitive zones.”
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Dr Usman Anwar confirmed that Section 144 had been imposed province-wide, banning all rallies, gatherings, and processions. He warned that any attacks on police or public property would be treated as terrorism, with offenders facing 10–14 years in prison.
“We will deal with anyone who takes the law into their hands with an iron hand,” the IGP said, adding that police were using AI-based surveillance technology and Safe City camera data to trace wanted TLP activists.
Read More: Muridke cleared of TLP protesters as normalcy returns to Punjab
Following Thursday’s high-level meeting, the Punjab government announced that it would formally recommend a federal ban on TLP to the Interior Ministry.
“All individuals involved in hate speech, incitement and law violations will be arrested,” read an official statement. “Those involved in the martyrdom of police officers and destruction of public property will be tried in anti-terrorism courts.”
The statement further said that:
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All assets and properties of the group would be transferred to the Auqaf Department.
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Bank accounts of the organisation would be frozen.
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Social media accounts spreading hate speech would be taken down.
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There would be a strict ban on TLP’s posters, banners and advertisements.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari later confirmed that the “extremist party” referred to in the official handout was indeed TLP.
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The federal government had first banned TLP in April 2021 under the ATA on Punjab’s recommendation, following days of violent protests that led to the deaths of several police officers. The ban, however, was lifted in November 2021 after a deal was reached with the group to end its march toward Islamabad.
With Friday’s protests looming, officials said the current crackdown aims to prevent another wave of unrest and ensure public safety across Punjab.