The Punjab home department has recommended a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan and forwarded a formal proposal to the federal government.
The department’s communication asks the federal authorities to freeze all assets of TLP as part of the requested measures.
Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed across the Islamabad and Rawalpindi divisions because of a possible protest called by the religious group, and stringent security arrangements have been put in place throughout Rawalpindi.
Police sources said teams deployed across Rawalpindi have been issued rubber bullets, tear‑gas shells and guns, and prisoner vans have been stationed at various locations, while mosques and madrasas are being continuously monitored.
Security personnel have been deployed at numerous points, including Murree Road, Liaqat Bagh, Mari Chowk, Faizabad, Rehmanabad, Saddar, Gujar Khan, Rawat, Mandrah and Kahuta.
Heavy police contingents have also been deployed at multiple locations in Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Murree and Talagang.
Rawalpindi’s chief police officer said maintaining law and order is a top priority, and stern action will be taken against troublemakers.
Azma Bokhari defends ban on TLP
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has confirmed that the Punjab government has officially approved the ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
Speaking to the media on Friday, Azma Bokhari said that the protest held by the religious party under the pretext of showing solidarity with Gaza was unjustified.
She added that the state cannot allow anyone to paralyse the country or disrupt the system in the name of protest. She emphasised that no one will be allowed to block roads and public pathways under the guise of political or religious demonstrations.
Azma Bokhari stated that the public has completely rejected the call for protests, pointing out that normal life continued uninterrupted in Lahore throughout the day.
She further added that forcing one’s views on others in the name of religion is unacceptable, and that during negotiations, neither Gaza nor Palestine was ever mentioned.
Azma Bokhari clarified that the Punjab government’s decision is not directed against any religious group but is aimed at preserving public order and the rule of law.
Public reaction
Prominent religious scholars, political and civic leaders and the business community have rejected the strike call made by the TLP agitators.
They strongly condemned TLP’s disruptive actions and called for stability rather than unrest.
Business groups described the strike call as contrary to national interest and urged citizens to avoid rumours and negative narratives and to support peace and stability.
Religious leaders and trader bodies said disagreements should be expressed within constitutional bounds, not through strikes or disruption, and that roadblocks and arson that harm travellers and patients are unacceptable.
Allama Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi said the country must focus on development and stability rather than turmoil.
Muhammad Asif Muawiya Sial said people are facing severe hardships because of TLP’s protests and called the group’s confrontation with the state deeply regrettable.
Sahibzada Akmal Mehrovi said those who support the state will not be abandoned, and nothing can be placed above the state.
Hafiz Jameel Ahmad condemned TLP’s protests and activities, calling it inappropriate to protest or spread unrest against one’s own land and people.
Abdul Mannan Kashmiri said confrontation between TLP and the government harms national interest, and those spreading unrest should not be allowed.
Awn Hameed Dogar warned that law enforcement agencies will act against any form of violence or disorder and urged the nation not to support agitators.
MN A Sardar Abdul Qadeer Khosa said no group or disruptive mob will be permitted to take the law into its own hands and that action against troublemakers is essential for peace and the stability of the state.
Sadr‑e‑Aala of the Qadiriya Gilaniyya order, Syed Iftikhar ul Hasan Gilani, urged public support for state institutions so that peace, stability and development can be achieved, stressing that the country has been won through great sacrifices and that both internal and external conspiracies must be thwarted.
Maulana Abdul Hameed Farooqi accused India of plotting against Pakistan following its setbacks.
Amir Hamza Rafi declared the protest call meaningless and contrary to national development, saying it is condemnable to use religion and the issue of the finality of prophethood against the state.
Mufti Abu Bakr of Dera Ghazi Khan called TLP’s protest unjustified and said national institutions want stability and development in Pakistan.
Hafiz Abdul Quddus Awan urged all parties to support the country and its institutions, avoid actions that threaten national integrity and send a positive message about Pakistan to the world.
Hafiz Muhammad Kifayatullah strongly condemned TLP’s disputes and unrest, while Allama Tahir ul Hasan said the nation stands united against miscreants and both internal and external troublemakers.
Trader Mohammad Azhar Khan Mughal alleged that TLP is following an Indian agenda and warned that the country cannot sustain repeated strikes and protests.
Jawaad Hasan Gul Qadri said that with calm returning to Gaza, strikes and protests have become meaningless, and it is unreasonable to incite youth onto the streets for no cause; he accused the group of seeking bloodshed and political gain.
Ziaul Haq Qasim Khan Baloch called TLP’s protests and roadblocks wrong, noting that strikes and stoppages cause hardship to the sick and travellers and urged the group to end the protests immediately.
Reporters: Qaiser Khokhar and Irshad Qureshi