Editorial
The federal government’s decision to ban Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act marks another chapter in the state’s uneasy struggle with extremism. The move, recommended by the Punjab government and endorsed unanimously by the federal cabinet, followed violent protests earlier this month that left chaos and casualties in their wake.
Officials claim the TLP repeatedly violated commitments made in 2021, when a previous ban was lifted on assurances that the group would abandon violence. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari cited evidence of weapons seizures, damage to property, and attacks on law enforcement, arguing that the group’s “modus operandi” leaves no room for tolerance. Over 3,800 financiers have reportedly been identified and 95 bank accounts frozen.
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Yet, amid this show of force, Pakistan faces a deeper dilemma. While violent extremism demands accountability, banning political groups without transparent judicial oversight risks eroding fundamental rights. History shows that such bans rarely solve the problem; they merely drive movements underground, where they regroup with greater hostility.
Pakistan’s Constitution offers safeguards under Article 17(2): any move to ban a political party must be referred to the Supreme Court within fifteen days. This ensures that decisions of such gravity are guided by law, not political expediency. The government’s resolve to restore order must therefore align with due process — otherwise, the boundary between security and suppression will blur dangerously.
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The TLP’s violent record cannot be denied. But equally undeniable is the need for constitutional restraint. A democratic state must punish those who incite violence — not silence dissent wholesale. Justice, not haste, must define Pakistan’s fight against extremism.
