ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has reportedly approved a summary seeking the imposition of a ban on the ultra right-wing Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) under the anti-terrorism law for the recent spate of violence across the country.
A summary of the interior ministry seeking a ban on TLP was sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan which was approved and was circulated among cabinet members. After the summary was approved, the cabinet has started issuing the declaration of the TLP’s ban.
The government will present the declaration of the ban in the Supreme Court. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will subsequently denotify the TLP on orders of the apex court. All parliamentarians of the TLP will be subsequently disqualified after the ECP denotifies the party.
The federal government decided to outlaw the TLP after days of violence across the country in which three people lost their lives including two policemen, while several others were injured
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had said the ban on TLP will be placed under Section 11-B of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 on the recommendation of the Punjab government.
He said several rounds of talks were held with TLP leaders, however, the party remained adamant on their stance and were inciting their workers to march towards Islamabad. He said the decision to ban the party has the nod of all stakeholders and has been taken after thorough deliberations.
He said there were several other religious parties in the country, but none resorted to such violent behaviour. He said only in the past few years, the TLP has held several violent protests, bringing the entire country to a grinding halt.
Rashid said no single political party can claim ownership to being the defender of Finality of Prophethood (PBUH). The minister said there was absolutely no question on the issue and no Muslim could even think of deviating from it even at the cost of their lives.
