Web Desk; Leaders of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) from South Punjab on Friday announced their separation from the party after the federal government officially banned the group over violence and rioting. The Interior Ministry had earlier notified that TLP’s activities were linked to terrorism, citing “reasonable grounds” for the decision.
One of the leaders said Pakistan’s army was already facing threats from both the eastern and western borders, and that TLP’s protest calls had forced the state into internal conflict amid external challenges. He added that during the brief military escalation with India in May, the group’s protests benefited the enemy, describing TLP’s actions as serving anti-state interests.
He also alleged that terrorists from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had expressed support for TLP in a recent video. The government’s ban came after nationwide Gaza-related protests turned violent, resulting in casualties among protesters and police and blocking highways from Karachi to Islamabad.
The decision to proscribe TLP was approved unanimously during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following a proposal from the Punjab government. The Interior Ministry briefed the cabinet that TLP had repeatedly incited unrest despite earlier commitments to avoid violence after its 2021 ban was lifted.
Founded in 2015 and converted into a political party a year later, TLP currently holds one seat in the Punjab Assembly. Officials said the latest ban was imposed because the group once again violated its pledge to remain peaceful.
