The Punjab government has warned that individuals providing financial or political support to the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) could face terrorism charges. The provincial cabinet has sent a summary to the federal government recommending a ban on the organization, and a decision is expected soon.

Punjab’s Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bukhari, revealed in a press conference that authorities have identified around 3,800 TLP financiers. Their sources of funding have been blocked, and legal action under anti-terrorism laws is being initiated against them. She expressed hope that the ban on TLP would be enforced within a few days.

The minister also claimed that during a raid on the residence of TLP chief Saad Rizvi, authorities recovered 1.92 kilograms of gold, 898 grams of silver, 68 luxury watches, and other valuable items. She further alleged that Saad Rizvi had acquired properties through benami (undisclosed or fronted) transactions. Azma Bukhari confirmed that action is being taken to arrest both Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas Rizvi, and 95 bank accounts linked to them have been frozen.

Additionally, the minister stated that the administration of 130 mosques and 223 religious schools associated with TLP has been handed over to the Punjab Auqaf Department. She urged parents to keep their children away from TLP activities, warning that anyone involved could also face terrorism charges.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed that the federal government has received the reference from Punjab seeking a ban on TLP, and an investigation is underway. He questioned the motives behind TLP’s recent protests and accused the group of hypocrisy, noting that while it denounces interest (riba), it allegedly earns interest on donations in its bank accounts.

Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview, emphasized the need for Pakistan to act as a “hard state” to control extremism and declared that violent groups are “unacceptable.”

Regarding Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s planned protest march in Islamabad, Talal Chaudhry said the government is trying to engage with the JUI-F leader and will not leave him isolated. However, Fazlur Rehman has been strongly critical of the government since the recent elections.