Pakistan Takes Strong Action Against Islamist Party

Pakistan has decided to ban a well-known Islamist party called Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). This decision came after violent clashes between the party's supporters and police, which resulted in at least five deaths. The TLP is known for its strict stance on blasphemy laws and has been involved in similar violent incidents before. The ban was approved by Pakistan's federal cabinet, citing the party's violent and terrorist activities. The TLP has gained significant support over the years, especially in the Punjab province, due to its hard-line views on blasphemy. Pakistan's blasphemy laws are severe, and the TLP demands the death penalty for those who insult Islam or Islamic figures. Human rights groups have reported that the party's supporters sometimes carry out brutal mob lynchings before trials even begin. The TLP was officially launched as a political party in 2017, but its ideology gained traction earlier, following the 2011 assassination of Punjab's governor, Salman Taseer. Taseer was known for his opposition to blasphemy laws, and his killer, Mumtaz Qadri, was hailed as a hero by some. Although the TLP is not considered a mainstream political party, it has a large ideological support base, particularly in Punjab. Before the ban, police in Punjab raided the home of the TLP's leader, Saad Rizvi, and sealed mosques and seminaries associated with the party. Some of the party's affiliates are now facing anti-terrorism charges. The TLP had announced a protest in solidarity with Palestinians following the U. S. -brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The government suspended mobile internet service in the capital and cordoned off major roads to prevent protesters from gathering. Experts suggest that both external and internal factors contributed to the crackdown on the TLP. Pakistan's recent realignment with the United States may have played a role, as the TLP's protest near the U. S. Embassy could have put additional pressure on the government. The TLP saw this as an opportunity to gain more support by criticizing Pakistan's relationship with the U. S. and its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The TLP was previously banned in 2021 after violent protests against caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in France. The ban was later lifted with the condition that the party refrain from violence. Pakistan's leaders have defended the current ban, stating that it is necessary to maintain public order and prevent damage to property.