TLP officially declared banned terrorist outfit by interior ministry

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The interior ministry Friday officially declared Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) a proscribed organisation, placing the religious-political group under the First Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

This action effectively restores the TLP’s banned status and imposes sweeping restrictions on its operations nationwide.

The decision was formalised by the interior ministry a day after the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the ban. The cabinet’s decision followed a detailed recommendation from the Punjab government, citing the group’s involvement in widespread violence and chaos.

An official notification reissued by the interior ministry designates TLP as a “proscribed outfit”, stating that the federal government had reasonable grounds to believe the organisation was “connected and concerned in terrorism”. All relevant agencies have been directed to strictly enforce the decision in accordance with the law.

With its inclusion in the First Schedule of banned organisations under the ATA, the TLP is now subject to severe restrictions on its activities, funding, and organisational operations. The move ensures that all TLP offices, accounts, and public gatherings will be immediately subject to monitoring and legal action by the relevant authorities. The government has also instructed the law ministry to prepare a reference for submission to the Supreme Court, a mandatory legal step required to formally solidify the government’s decision to declare the TLP a terrorist organisation.

Meanwhile, the 39th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order was held at the Punjab Home Department under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique. Provincial Ministers Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and Bilal Akbar Khan also attended the meeting. Senior officials from the home department and law enforcement agencies briefed the committee on the prevailing security situation.

The meeting reviewed in detail the province-wide law and order and the ongoing operation to repatriate illegally residing foreign nationals. The committee approved the extension of Section 144 across Punjab until November 1 to maintain public order and directed the authorities concerned to ensure peace and stability.