The federal cabinet has greenlighted a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following a request from the Punjab government, citing violent protests in the province that left several dead and many injured.
The decision was “taken” in today’s session of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which deliberated on the Punjab government’s request to ban the party.
The cabinet issued directives to the Ministry of Interior to complete legal procedures for enforcing the ban.
The move follows a series of fierce demonstrations by the TLP that erupted earlier this month after police dismantled a protest camp in Muridke, leading to confrontations that resulted in the death of a police station house officer (SHO) and three others, including a passerby.
Well-placed sources said that the matter regarding the ban on the TLP ban would be sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice, which will formally file a reference with the Supreme Court within 15 days following the cabinet’s approval to meet legal requirements.
The TLP would be denotified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) once the top court approves the federal government’s reference, he sources added.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
