Pak declares TLP banned outfit after deadly clashes

The far-right Islamist party Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under anti-terrorism laws, following deadly clashes during anti-Israel protests near Lahore that left at least five people dead.

- Tariq Butt | Agencies

The federal cabinet has approved a ban on TLP under the Anti-Terrorism Act, days after the Punjab government sent a summary to the Centre seeking action against the religio-political party.

The federal cabinet unanimously approved the ban, the government said in a statement. “The TLP is involved in terrorist and violent activities,” it added.

The interior ministry on Friday notified the ban on TLP, saying that the federal government had “reasonable grounds” to believe the religio-political party was connected to terrorism.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section IIB(I)(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997), the federal government hereby orders TLP to be a proscribed organisation for the purpose of the Act and list the aforesaid organisation in the first schedule to the said Act,” the notification said.

The group said it rejected the ban, calling it “unconstitutional, vindictive, illegal and dictatorial” in a statement.