Pakistan’s political landscape was jolted on October 23, 2025, when the federal Cabinet, acting on the recommendation of the Punjab provincial government, unanimously approved a ban on the hard-line Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The move, made under the country’s anti-terrorism law, follows a week of violent clashes between TLP supporters and police that left at least one police officer and four civilians dead, and more than 100 police officers and dozens of protesters injured, according to statements from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office and reporting by the Associated Press and NPR.
The TLP, notorious for its fierce defense of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and its history of street violence, had organized a march from Lahore to Islamabad in support of Palestinians, following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The demonstration, which began on October 10, 2025, was intended to culminate in a rally outside the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. However, as thousands of supporters attempted to move toward the capital, police set up shipping containers and blockades to prevent their advance, leading to a dramatic escalation near Lahore and in the nearby city of Muridke on October 13.
According to NPR, the government took extraordinary measures to contain the unrest, suspending mobile internet service in Islamabad and sealing off major roads. The crackdown intensified after protesters attacked police with batons, rocks, and even firearms. In the aftermath, authorities shut down TLP offices, froze the party’s bank accounts, and began filing terrorism charges against those involved in the violence. Punjab police also raided the residence of TLP leader Saad Rizvi, who subsequently went into hiding, with police suspecting he may have fled to Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The party claims to have lost contact with Rizvi shortly after the police operation began.
Punjab government spokesperson Uzma Bukhari explained to local reporters that the decision to ban the party was not taken lightly. "This is not a religious or political party — they hide behind religion to spread disorder and try to do politics over dead bodies," she said, as reported by NPR. Bukhari confirmed that hundreds of TLP supporters had been arrested and that the ban on public rallies remained in effect to prevent further unrest.
The TLP’s rise to prominence has been swift and controversial. Founded as a political party in 2017 by a fiery cleric, the group’s ideology gained traction after the 2011 assassination of Punjab’s governor Salman Taseer, who was an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, was one of Taseer’s own bodyguards and was celebrated by many as a defender of Islam. The TLP’s single-issue focus on blasphemy has resonated with segments of Pakistan’s population, particularly in Punjab province, and the party made a notable showing in the 2018 elections by campaigning for the strict enforcement of blasphemy laws, which carry the death penalty for those convicted of insulting Islam.
Human rights groups have long sounded the alarm about the TLP’s role in fomenting mob violence. According to NPR, the party’s supporters have been linked to brutal lynchings of individuals accused of blasphemy, sometimes before any legal proceedings take place. The TLP’s activism has coincided with a marked increase in blasphemy cases across Pakistan, raising concerns about the rule of law and the safety of religious minorities.
This is not the first time the Pakistani state has moved to outlaw the TLP. In April 2021, the party was banned after staging violent protests over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in France, demanding the expulsion of the French ambassador. The ban was later lifted in November 2021 following a deal with then-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, on the condition that the TLP refrain from further violence — a condition the government now says the party has failed to uphold.
In response to the latest ban, the TLP released a statement late Thursday rejecting the government’s action as "unconstitutional and politically motivated." The group’s defiance sets the stage for further confrontation, as authorities brace for possible backlash from its considerable support base.
The government’s decision to act now appears to stem from both internal and external pressures. Khurram Iqbal, an associate professor of security studies at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad, told NPR that Pakistan’s recent realignment with the United States played a role. "We can ill afford any pressure group charging on the American Embassy," he said, highlighting the risks of diplomatic fallout. Azaz Syed, a senior Pakistani journalist, noted that the TLP sought to exploit the situation to gain political leverage by framing the government as supportive of the U.S. and Israel, a stance likely to inflame passions among its followers.
Pakistan’s leaders have justified the ban as essential for maintaining public order and curbing extremism. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated in a local media interview, "Such religious extremist groups, which resort to violence and cause damage to property, cannot be tolerated in Pakistan." The sentiment was echoed by other officials, who argued that the TLP’s pattern of inciting violence under the guise of religious activism represents a threat to the country’s stability and international standing.
The crackdown on the TLP comes amid a broader climate of political tension in Pakistan. The government has also taken a hard-line approach toward other opposition groups, most notably the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose leaders have protested against the TLP ban, calling it unconstitutional. This has fueled debates about the limits of political dissent and the role of the state in regulating religious and political expression.
As of now, the fate of the TLP and its leadership remains uncertain. Police continue to search for Saad Rizvi, while hundreds of party members face legal action. The government’s resolve to enforce the ban will be tested in the coming weeks, particularly if supporters attempt to regroup or stage further demonstrations.
For many in Pakistan, the events of October 2025 mark a critical juncture in the ongoing struggle to balance religious activism, political dissent, and public order. The government’s actions have drawn both praise and criticism, reflecting the deeply polarized nature of Pakistani society. Whether the ban will succeed in curbing violence or merely drive the TLP underground is a question that remains to be answered — but for now, the country watches and waits, wary of what might come next.