The Punjab Cabinet has approved a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and forwarded the summary to the federal government for final approval. The province has also imposed a ban on issuing new arms licenses and restricted the use of loudspeakers to only the call to prayer and Friday sermons.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that those possessing illegal weapons must surrender them within a month or face terrorism charges.
“Imposing one’s ideology in the name of religion is unacceptable,” she said. “The protest call was given when a ceasefire had already been announced in Gaza — the world has acknowledged Pakistan’s positive role in that ceasefire.”
The minister said violent protesters could not be well-wishers of the country or the nation. She confirmed that the cabinet had approved the ban on the extremist group TLP and that the summary had been sent to the federal government.
Bukhari added that there would be zero tolerance regarding the misuse of loudspeakers, emphasizing that no mosque, pulpit, or seminary would be allowed to spread hate or incitement through them.
She stated that Section 144 remains enforced across Punjab, banning gatherings of more than four people. Any individual spreading hate, glorifying violence, or presenting chaos as a “national cause” on social media would face action under cybercrime laws — and some arrests have already been made.
The minister also revealed that the social media accounts and bank accounts of the proscribed group would be frozen.
Bukhari stressed that no arms licenses will be issued under any political or non-political recommendation. Those with illegal weapons must surrender them within 30 days, or they will face terrorism cases. Even those with legal arms must register them at Khidmat Markaz or face legal action.
She further said that loudspeakers will only be permitted for the call to prayer and sermons, and any other use will be prohibited.
Providing statistical data, the minister said that from 2016 to 2024, a total of 692 FIRs related to such riots were registered, while in 2025 alone, 108 FIRs have been filed — 71 of them under terrorism charges. She added that the figures indicate an “organized effort to destabilize Punjab” this year.
Without naming anyone, she claimed that “another political party that cannot even gather four people tried to infiltrate today’s protest,” but Punjab’s citizens rejected the call for violence.
Bukhari concluded by saying that the state would ensure law and order and the protection of public property, calling on the media and civil society to support the government’s efforts for peace and stability.
