Pakistan Bans Hard-line Islamist Party TLP Following Deadly Clashes

Government Proscribes Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan

The government of Pakistan officially banned the hard-line Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The federal cabinet unanimously approved the ban under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997, following a recommendation from the Punjab government. This marks the second time the TLP has been proscribed, with a previous ban in 2021 having been lifted after six months.

The decision came after a period of intense violent clashes between TLP supporters and law enforcement agencies, which erupted during a 'Gaza solidarity' march initiated by the party. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the TLP has 'incited violence across the country' since its establishment in 2016 and is involved in 'violent and terrorist activities'.

Violent Protests and Casualties

The recent unrest began on October 11, 2025, when the TLP launched a march from Lahore, aiming to reach Islamabad and protest outside the US Embassy in solidarity with Palestinians. Clashes escalated significantly on October 13, 2025, particularly in Muridke, near Lahore, as police attempted to disperse the advancing protesters.

Reports indicate a significant number of casualties. Around 16 people, including policemen, were killed, and over 1,600 individuals were injured during confrontations between police and TLP supporters at Muridke. Other accounts mention at least 11 deaths and over 50 injuries in Lahore, with the government claiming four people, including a police officer, were killed and dozens of security personnel injured. More than 100 police officers and dozens of protesters sustained injuries in the clashes. Protesters reportedly engaged in stone-pelting and damaged police vehicles, while authorities responded with tear gas, baton charges, and barricades.

Government's Justification and Actions

The federal cabinet was briefed on the TLP's history of violence and its failure to adhere to previous agreements made when the 2021 ban was lifted. The government emphasized that the current ban was also a consequence of the party reneging on those guarantees. Following the ban, the TLP will be added to the list of proscribed organizations maintained by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).

In response to the violence, authorities have taken stringent measures. Nearly 1,000 TLP members have been arrested, with some reports indicating over 6,000 activists detained. The government has also sealed 61 seminaries run by the party and transferred control of TLP mosques and seminaries to the Auqaf Department. Furthermore, approximately 3,600 financial backers of the TLP have been identified, and legal action is expected against them. The government is also mandated to submit a reference to the Supreme Court within 15 days to seek judicial approval for the ban.

TLP's Response and Historical Context

The TLP has rejected the government's decision, labeling it 'unconstitutional, vindictive, illegal and dictatorial'. Founded in 2016, the TLP gained prominence for its protests against any perceived changes to Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which mandate the death penalty for insulting Islam. The party was previously banned in April 2021 after violent demonstrations demanding the expulsion of the French ambassador over caricatures of Prophet Muhammad. That ban was subsequently lifted in November 2021 after the group reached an agreement with the then-government.