Punjab’s Minister for Information and Culture, Uzma Bukhari, held a press conference on Wednesday where she shared details of major government actions and administrative steps taken against the banned group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
Uzma Bukhari revealed that assets worth 23.40 billion rupees belonging to the banned TLP have been frozen, along with 92 bank accounts linked to the organization. She added that cases have been registered against 90 financiers who were allegedly providing financial support to the group.
The minister said that 31 more FIRs have been filed over hate speech and provocative content shared on social media. She also stated that during operations against the group, authorities recovered a large quantity of modern weapons, bulletproof jackets, and used ammunition shells.
Bukhari said the provincial government is taking significant measures to promote peace, security, and religious harmony in the province. She shared that the registration of mosque imams has reached 84% across Punjab and is expected to be completed 100% in the next few days.
She added that the Home Department has taken the five major boards of Wafaq-ul-Madaris into confidence, and formal registration of religious seminaries across Punjab will begin soon. According to her, the Chief Minister values the important role of religious scholars — a role she said was not given proper respect by previous governments.
Deportation of illegal Afghan nationals and decline in crime
Uzma Bukhari said that 6,220 undocumented Afghan citizens have been deported within the last three weeks. She noted that many illegal Afghan residents are trying to leave Punjab and take refuge in other provinces, which is why the issue is being raised with the federal government and the Apex Committee.
She added that only a small number of illegal Afghan nationals remain in Punjab, and cases are being registered against those who provide them shelter.
The minister further announced that several districts — including Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Pakpattan, Khushab, and Bahawalpur — have seen a 70% to 90% reduction in incidents of robbery, theft, and street crime.
