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Trucks and containers block Ravi Bridge as supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) supporters march during a solidarity march for Gaza in Lahore, October 10, 2025. — Reuters
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ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry on Friday formally banned Tehreek-e-Libbaik Pakistan (TLP), declaring it a professional organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
The notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the federal government has “reasonable grounds to believe that Tehreek-e-Libbaik Pakistan is associated with and associated with terrorism.”
“… In exercise of the powers conferred by section 11B(1)(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997), the Federal Government hereby directs the TLP to be a prohibited organization for the purpose of the Act and list the aforesaid organization in the First Schedule to the said Act,” read the notification.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent a notice to the TLP leadership as well as all concerned federal and provincial authorities.
The move follows a series of violent protests by the TLP that erupted earlier this month after police broke up a protest camp in Murdke, leading to clashes that resulted in the death of a police station house officer (SHO) and three others, including a passerby.
The latest development comes a day after the federal cabinet banned TLP under the ATA citing violent protests in the province that left several dead and many injured.
This summary was submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs following a request by the Punjab Government. Senior officials of Punjab also participated in the meeting through video link.
The meeting was informed that TLP was earlier banned in 2021 by the then government. However, the ban was lifted after six months on the condition that the group refrain from further violence and public disorder.
‘No need for SC’s decision’
Home Ministry sources told Geo News that the government has decided not to file a reference in the Supreme Court regarding the ban on TLP.
Sources said that a decision of the High Court is not required to impose a ban under the ATA.
He further said that ban on religious political party has been imposed under ATA, but not Article 17 of the Constitution.
TLP can appeal ban within 30 days: Sanaullah
Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah explained that a religious political party can file an appeal against the ban within 30 days of the notification.
Speaking to Geo News’ program “Naya Pakistan”, he added: “If the ban is maintained after the review of the ban, the matter can be taken to court,” the adviser to the prime minister explained.
He said that this organization damaged public property at several places during its protest. Sanaullah said that any group involved in such activities can be banned.
“Enough evidence was available to justify the imposition of sanctions,” he added. The group had earlier assured [for not to involved in such activities] Which he failed to respect, he recalled.
‘Top leadership of TLP will be arrested soon’
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has said that the top leadership of Tehreek-e-Libbaik Pakistan (TLP) has gone into hiding outside the province after violent protests, and has assured that they will be arrested soon.
Speaking to Geo Pakistan, Azma said that as per available information, senior leaders of the group are currently out of Punjab and are adept at going underground to avoid arrest.
“The law enforcement agencies are actively working on it, and you will get the good news soon,” the information minister added.
“I would request that we do not refer to this extremist group as a political party. They are not a party, but a mindset that we as a society must confront collectively.”
“It is neither a political nor a religious party; it is working like a scheme to collect watches and billions of rupees,” he added.
Azam said that it has been revealed that those conducting transactions in the name of religion are earning interest on these payments. The provincial information minister said that whenever the TLP takes to the streets, it engages in “violence and attempts to disrupt law and order”.
“They have a track record unlike any other group in this country, acting as a pressure group to dictate terms to the state,” he said, adding, “Our leadership believes now is the best time to right the wrongs of the past.”
