In a dramatic escalation of Pakistan’s struggle with radical Islamist groups, the government has launched an unprecedented crackdown on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a party notorious for its violent street protests and incendiary religious rhetoric. The operation, which unfolded over the past week, has not only exposed deep fissures within Pakistani society but also signaled a decisive shift in the state’s approach to religious extremism—a move that could have lasting consequences for the country’s stability and global standing.
The immediate catalyst for this sweeping action was the TLP’s call for a “Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March” to Islamabad, intended as a protest against Western policies on the Gaza conflict. According to Geopolitico, the group’s supporters, gathering near Lahore and aiming to reach the US embassy, quickly turned their demonstration violent. Protesters engaged in stone-pelting, set public vehicles ablaze, and, as authorities allege, resorted to indiscriminate gunfire that left both civilians and security personnel dead and injured. Over a dozen lives were lost, including law enforcement officers, with dozens more wounded in the chaos.
Punjab’s Minister for Information, Azma Bukhari, laid out the government’s response in a tense press conference: “95 bank accounts and properties registered in the name of Saad Rizvi have been sealed. The leadership of the religious organisation has been divided into three tiers, and a crackdown is currently underway against them.” She further revealed that authorities had identified 3,800 additional national and international bank accounts allegedly used to fund the TLP, warning that anyone financing or supporting the group would face terrorism charges.
The crackdown has been thorough and multifaceted. Law enforcement agencies, working in coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), raided the residence of TLP chief Saad Rizvi. There, they recovered 1.92 kilograms of gold, 898 grams of silver, 69 branded watches, Rs144.4 million in cash, and foreign currency worth over Rs2.5 million—including Indian rupees, pound sterling, Canadian dollars, Saudi riyals, and UAE dirhams. The seized assets, valued at over Rs63.4 million, were officially documented in the presence of FIA and cybercrime representatives.
But the government’s campaign has gone far beyond financial seizures. As reported by The Express Tribune, the Punjab cabinet has approved a summary recommending a federal ban on TLP, with enforcement expected imminently. Administrative control has been taken over 330 mosques previously affiliated with the party. These mosques, Bukhari emphasized, “will remain open for regular prayers, but any political or provocative activity will not be tolerated.” In addition, 223 madaris linked to TLP have been geo-tagged, with six found to be built on government land. Most will soon reopen under the supervision of moderate Sunni scholars, while others remain under security review.
The crackdown has also targeted digital and ideological support structures. Bukhari expressed alarm at the involvement of educated individuals in TLP’s activities, calling it “a threat to national peace.” She warned that those using social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to incite violence would face terrorism charges, resulting in a criminal record and ineligibility for university admissions, visas, or state facilities. “Your children were not born to become someone’s cannon fodder,” she implored parents, noting that many families only discovered their children’s involvement after their arrests.
In response to rumors about the fate of TLP’s leadership, Bukhari clarified, “Both Saad Rizvi and his brother are alive and being traced by law enforcement agencies. They will soon be brought to justice.” The government also made clear that the grave of TLP founder Khadim Hussain Rizvi would not be relocated, but warned, “No one will be allowed to exploit the grave for provocative or financial purposes.”
This forceful response marks a significant departure from Pakistan’s previous strategy of alternating between confrontation and negotiation with radical groups like the TLP. As Geopolitico highlighted, the state’s inability to consistently mediate or enforce the law has repeatedly emboldened the TLP, allowing it to exploit emotive religious issues and, increasingly, geopolitical grievances. The group’s agitation, which began with blasphemy allegations and anti-Western sentiment, now also targets the government’s foreign policy and international relations.
The consequences of the unrest have been severe. Official reports indicate that the TLP has been responsible for the deaths of dozens of police officers, with more than 50 Punjab Police officers permanently disabled due to attacks, according to Azma Bukhari. During the recent Muridke operation, one Station House Officer was killed, 48 police and Rangers personnel were injured—including 17 with gunshot wounds—and three TLP protesters as well as one passerby lost their lives. The violence spilled into other cities, with scattered protests and further injuries reported.
Thousands of TLP supporters and leaders have been arrested, and the government has announced plans to try those responsible for violence in anti-terrorism courts. Senior TLP leaders will be placed under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, restricting their movement and activities. The government also intends to block the group’s social media presence and remove all party banners and advertisements from public spaces.
Some observers see these actions as part of a broader shift in Pakistan’s policy toward radical Islamist groups. As the Geopolitico report noted, the crackdown was catalyzed by concerns over Pakistan’s international image ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s attendance at a Gaza peace summit in Egypt. The TLP’s protests threatened to embarrass the country on the global stage and undermine delicate diplomatic efforts, including backchannel initiatives on Gaza.
Yet the crisis has also highlighted the persistent challenge of radicalization in Pakistan. As Geopolitico and other sources observed, millions of Pakistani students remain outside the formal education system, while thousands attend unregulated religious seminaries where they are exposed to extremist narratives. The proliferation of online radicalization compounds the problem, making it easier for groups like the TLP to mobilize support and evade state control.
Political exploitation of religious fervor remains a concern as well. The surprising support for the TLP from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan during the protests underscores the dangers of using radical narratives for political gain. Successive governments have at times compromised with the TLP, inadvertently strengthening its street power and voter base.
Looking ahead, officials and analysts agree that the government must go beyond tactical crackdowns and implement comprehensive reforms. This includes fully enacting the 2014 National Action Plan against terrorism, which calls for the regulation of religious seminaries and a sustained effort to counter extremist narratives. Only by addressing the root causes of radicalization can Pakistan hope to break the cycle of protest and suppression that has repeatedly threatened its domestic stability and international credibility.
As the dust settles from this week’s dramatic events, one thing is clear: Pakistan’s resolve to confront the TLP may mark a turning point in the country’s fight against religious extremism. But the journey toward a more stable, inclusive, and globally respected Pakistan is far from over.
