Pakistan's Punjab moves to ban 'extremist organization' after deadly protests

Pakistan’s most populous province moved Thursday to outlaw a hard-line religious group after violent protests left at least five people dead.

At a meeting in Lahore, the Punjab government decided to recommend that the federal government ban an "extremist organization."

The meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif did not name any group. But her comments come after Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) — a religious group -- led protests in Lahore last week which left five people dead.

The TLP claimed multiple protesters were killed in running battles with police and that its chief, Saad Hussain Rizvi, was wounded by gunfire — a claim the government has not confirmed.

Founded in 2015, the TLP has built its following through mass protests defending Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which carry the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The group has repeatedly clashed with authorities and disrupted major cities through violent demonstrations.

Crackdown on hate speech, undocumented Afghan migrants

Officials also approved sweeping crackdowns on hate speech, illegal arms, and undocumented Afghan migrants as part of a broader law-and-order push.

Under the new directives, individuals involved in hate speech, incitement, or lawlessness will face immediate arrest.

Those responsible for killing police officers or damaging public property during recent clashes will be tried in anti-terrorism courts, while the group’s leadership will be placed in the Fourth Schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act — a list that restricts movement and finances of those deemed a security threat.

Police fire tear gas to disperse Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) supporters during a pro-Gaza march in Lahore on October 10, 2025. Reuters

All bank accounts, assets, and social media accounts belonging to the extremists will be frozen or blocked, and its posters, banners, and advertisements banned.

The provincial government also announced that the group’s seized properties would be handed over to the Auqaf Department, which manages religious endowments.

Surrendering firearms

Officials at the meeting also discussed a series of related security measures.

The Punjab Home Department issued a one-month deadline for citizens to surrender illegal weapons and register their firearms.

Dealers’ inventories will be inspected, and no new arms licenses will be issued until further notice. The punishment for illegal arms possession was increased to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to PKR 2 million, and the offense was made non-bailable.

Addressing migration concerns, the Punjab government said it would bring undocumented Afghan nationals into the tax net, prepare real-time data on their presence, and launch combing operations targeting irregular residents and businesses.

A whistleblower system will allow citizens to report undocumented migrants confidentially, and deportations will follow federal policy.