TLP’s Top Leadership to Be Arrested Soon, Says Punjab Minister

News Desk

Islamabad: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Thursday that the top leadership of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has gone into hiding outside the province following recent violent protests, assuring that they will be arrested soon.

Speaking on Geo Pakistan, the minister said that according to the latest intelligence reports, the banned group’s senior leaders are believed to be operating from outside Punjab and are experienced in going underground to evade law enforcement.

“Law enforcement agencies are actively working on it, and you will soon receive good news,” Azma said.

She emphasized that the group should not be regarded as a political entity, describing it instead as an extremist mindset that society must confront collectively.

“It is neither a political nor a religious party; it has been functioning like a project to collect valuables and billions of rupees,” she remarked.

The minister alleged that those managing the organization had been conducting financial transactions in the name of religion and even earning interest on the collected funds. She added that the TLP’s activities have consistently involved violence and attempts to disrupt public order.

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“They have a track record unlike any other group in this country — acting as a pressure group to dictate terms to the state,” she said. “Our leadership believes now is the right time to correct past mistakes.”

Azma clarified that during recent dialogue with the group aimed at reducing tensions, there was no discussion related to Gaza or Palestine. Instead, she said, the TLP’s demands focused on the return of confiscated valuables and compensation for expenses incurred during its marches.

Her remarks came a day after the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved a ban on the TLP under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) following a formal request from the Punjab government. The decision was based on the group’s involvement in violent protests that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.

The summary for the ban was presented by the Ministry of Interior, while senior Punjab government officials attended the cabinet meeting via video link.

The meeting was informed that the group’s actions had caused widespread unrest and disruption in various parts of the country. Officials also noted that a similar ban was imposed on the TLP in 2021, but it was lifted six months later on the condition that the group would refrain from engaging in violent or disruptive activities.