How TLP’s anti-Israel march turned into violent clashes between the religiopolitical party and Punjab government
Police personnel patrol a street following crackdown on TLP party activists during an anti-Israel protest in Muridke on October 13. Photo : AFP
The Punjab government has sought the Centre’s approval to ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after days ofviolent clashes with law enforcement. TLP cheif Saad Rizvi’s whereabouts remain uncertain. Some say he is on the run, others suspect he has been arrested, yet others believe he has fled to Kashmir. What we do know is that he was last tracked in Sialkot. But can a provincial government actually ban a political party with sitting MPAs?
Advocate Mirza Moiz Baig told The Express Tribune, “While Article 17 of the Constitution safeguards the right to political association, that right is not uninfected and certain restrictions can be imposed on that right. One such situation where restrictions may be imposed on the right to political association is where a political party is acting in a manner which is prejudicial to Pakistan sovereignty or integrity”.
He went on to detail that under Section 212 of the Elections Act 2017 allows such restrictions, however governments may use such provision to ostracise or marginalise their political opponents. To avoid such misuse, “Section 212 envisages that the federal government may transmit a reference in this respect to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court shall then decide as to whether or not a political party has actually acted in a manner which is prejudicial to the sovereignty of the state”.
“The Supreme Court’s judgment in this respect, then, is final and binding for all parties.”
Read: Section 144 extended as Punjab govt mulls TLP ban after violent protests
Procedure of ban:
1) Where the Federal Government is satisfied on the basis of a reference from the Commission or information received from any other source that a political party is a foreign-aided political party or has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan or is indulging in terrorism, the Government shall, by a notification in the official Gazette, make such declaration.
(2) Within fifteen days of making a declaration under sub-section (1), the Government shall refer the matter to the Supreme Court.
(3) Where the Supreme Court upholds the declaration made against the political party under sub-section (1), such political party shall stand dissolved forthwith
According to the criterion set by Section 212, one deliberates if the previous week of protests warrant a ban? Will the summary submitted by the Punjab Provincial government stand in the Supreme Court?
The unrest began after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a Gaza peace plan on September 29. This plan was later ratified by several countries, including Pakistan. The deal called for an end to Israel’s two-year war on Gaza but stopped short of committing to a Palestinian state, a key demand of Pakistan and much of the international community.
Rejecting the agreement as “a conspiracy to subjugate Palestinians,” Rizvi announced an “Al-Aqsa Gaza March” from Lahore to Islamabad, with the US embassy in the capital as its final destination.
Section 144 imposed in two provinces, the capital a maze of roadblocks and cargo containers, mobile internet services suspended and police personnel deployed with batons charged, all in preparation for TLP.
Despite the restrictions, TLP workers forced their way past roadblocks, clashing with police in Lahore. According to officials, dozens of officers were injured as the protesters, moving in small, agile groups, engaged in violent exchanges.
Read More: Punjab govt pushes for ban on rightwing TLP after Muridke clashes
Next stop, Muridke. In the early morning hours, police officials conducted an operation to crack down on TLP members. This operation came at the cost of five people—a police officer, three TLP workers and a passerby—protesters were accused of opening fire on the police. Vehicles were ablaze and the morning light was greeted with gunshots. Over 2,700 people were detained and another 2,800 placed on the exit control list.
Rumours of Rizvi’s death during the Muridke operation further inflamed tensions, prompting fresh demonstrations across the country. Police later confirmed he was alive, and subsequent raids on his residence reportedly uncovered large quantities of gold, cash and foreign currency.
The TLP, a Barelvi Sunni politico-religious group founded in 2015 by the late Hussain Rizvi, is known for its populist rhetoric and violent protests. Now led by his son, Saad Rizvi, the party brands itself as the “defender of the Prophet’s honour” (PBUH) and has built significant street power through repeated confrontations with the state.
Chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial cabinet approved what it called “historic” and “extraordinary” measures, including placing the party’s leadership on the Fourth Schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act — a list of individuals suspected of terrorism or sectarian activity. So far, 5,000 protestors have been arrested and the police are on a manhunt for Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas.
The party has continued to grow electorally despite being briefly banned in 2021. In the last elections, it emerged as Pakistan’s fourth-largest political party by vote share, securing one seat in the Punjab Assembly.
This is not the first nor the second protest the TLP have inflicted on the province. Since its formation, the TLP has repeatedly mobilised around issues of religious sanctity, notably defending Mumtaz Qadri — the assassin of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer — and protesting against perceived blasphemy.
And every protest brings with it the same brand of violence, cargo container parkour, and an expectation of a ban that this time around, may truly become a reality.
