Punjab finds itself in the midst of a sweeping crackdown as authorities move decisively against Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) activists following a week of violent demonstrations and mounting political tension. On October 23, 2025, the Punjab police launched what has become one of the largest law enforcement operations of the year, with 954 protesters already arrested across multiple districts, according to Daily Times. The government’s message is clear: law and order will not be compromised, even as the political and legal complexities surrounding the TLP deepen.
The unrest that triggered this crackdown began in the wake of a controversial Gaza peace plan announced on September 29, 2025, by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan, later ratified by Pakistan and several other countries, called for an end to Israel’s two-year war on Gaza but stopped short of promising a Palestinian state—an omission that riled many in Pakistan, including the TLP leadership. Saad Rizvi, the party’s chief, denounced the agreement as “a conspiracy to subjugate Palestinians” and called for an “Al-Aqsa Gaza March” from Lahore to Islamabad, targeting the US embassy in the capital as the final destination, The Express Tribune reports.
Authorities, anticipating unrest, imposed Section 144 in two provinces and Islamabad, setting up roadblocks and cargo containers, suspending mobile internet services, and deploying police in force. Yet, TLP workers managed to breach barriers, leading to intense clashes in Lahore. Dozens of officers were injured as protesters, moving in small, agile groups, engaged in violent exchanges with law enforcement. The violence escalated further in Muridke, where an early morning police operation resulted in five deaths—including a police officer, three TLP workers, and a passerby. Vehicles burned, gunshots rang out, and the chaos left the province reeling.
In the aftermath, the numbers are staggering. Over 2,700 people were detained following the Muridke operation, and another 2,800 were placed on the exit control list to prevent them from fleeing the country. In total, 5,000 protesters have been arrested so far, with police continuing their search for TLP chief Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas. Rizvi’s whereabouts remain uncertain—some say he’s on the run, others suspect he’s been arrested, and still others believe he has fled to Kashmir. The last confirmed sighting tracked him to Sialkot, but rumors of his death during the Muridke operation (later disproved) only fueled further demonstrations across the nation.
The Punjab police have responded with a multi-pronged strategy. Special units equipped with advanced surveillance and location-tracking technology have been deployed in Lahore and other key cities to hunt down remaining fugitives. Police teams are conducting round-the-clock raids in both urban and rural areas, determined to minimize the chances of escape for those involved in the violence. According to Daily Times, authorities have identified many TLP protesters through CCTV footage, intelligence reports, and mobile tracking systems. A detailed target list containing nearly 3,500 protesters linked to violent activities has been prepared, and special investigation teams have been formed to ensure arrests are based on concrete evidence.
The Inspector General of Punjab has ordered that strict action continue until all 4,500 identified TLP activists are apprehended. Officers have been instructed to remain vigilant and maintain peace across sensitive zones, with the government making it clear that the state will not tolerate any attempt to destabilize public order. The operation is expected to conclude in the coming days, with officials expressing confidence that all targeted arrests will soon be completed.
Meanwhile, the political implications of the crackdown are profound. The Punjab government, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has sought the Centre’s approval to ban the TLP after days of violent clashes. The cabinet has already taken what it describes as “historic” and “extraordinary” measures, including placing the party’s leadership on the Fourth Schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act—a list reserved for individuals suspected of terrorism or sectarian activity. The move marks a significant escalation in efforts to curb the party’s influence.
But can a provincial government actually ban a political party with sitting Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs)? Legal experts point out that while Article 17 of Pakistan’s Constitution safeguards the right to political association, that right is not absolute. Advocate Mirza Moiz Baig explained to 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.”
Section 212 of the Elections Act 2017 provides a legal pathway for banning political parties under such circumstances. However, to prevent misuse, the law requires that the federal government refer the matter to the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court’s judgment in this respect, then, is final and binding for all parties,” Baig emphasized. The process involves the federal government issuing a declaration by notification, followed within fifteen days by a reference to the Supreme Court. If the court upholds the declaration, the party is dissolved forthwith.
The TLP’s history complicates matters further. Founded in 2015 by the late Hussain Rizvi and now led by his son Saad Rizvi, the Barelvi Sunni politico-religious group has built considerable street power through repeated confrontations with the state. The party brands itself as the “defender of the Prophet’s honour” and has a record of mobilizing mass protests, often resulting in violence and widespread disruption. Despite being briefly banned in 2021, the TLP has continued to grow electorally, emerging as Pakistan’s fourth-largest political party by vote share and winning a seat in the Punjab Assembly in the last elections.
Each protest seems to follow a familiar pattern: mass mobilization over religious sanctity issues, clashes with police, and calls for a ban—this time, however, the government appears more determined than ever to see the process through. The Punjab administration’s current crackdown, backed by advanced technology and legal maneuvers, signals a shift toward a more hardline approach in dealing with politically motivated violence.
With the fate of the TLP hanging in the balance, Pakistan faces tough questions about the limits of political expression, the rule of law, and the delicate balance between security and civil liberties. As the crackdown continues, all eyes are on the Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide whether the TLP’s actions warrant the dissolution of a party that has, for better or worse, become a powerful force in Pakistan’s political landscape.
The days ahead will test the resolve of both the government and the TLP, with the outcome likely to shape the country’s political future for years to come.
