Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Wednesday that the seminaries associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have been handed over to prominent religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rahman.
The move follows the federal government’s decision on October 24 to impose a ban on the TLP after its violent protests led to the deaths of a police station house officer (SHO) and three others, including a passerby.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ittehad-e-Bain-ul-Muslimeen in Lahore, CM Maryam emphasized that the primary purpose of seminaries and mosques is to impart religious education and promote peace.
She condemned the violent acts witnessed during the TLP protests, stating that the scenes of destruction were “something one cannot imagine.” Vehicles assigned for public services were set ablaze, and major roads were blocked, causing immense disruption for ordinary citizens.
The chief minister strongly criticized the banned TLP for acting “on its own whims,” saying its behavior discredited religious leaders and political groups across the country. The party had earlier announced plans to hold a sit-in outside the U.S. Embassy in solidarity with Gaza. However, their camps were dismantled in Muridke, and roadblocks were imposed across Punjab, leading to clashes with police.
Maryam Nawaz questioned the logic of protesting violently despite an existing agreement for peace in Gaza. “How was it solidarity with Palestine when calls were made to attack Islamabad after the peace agreement?” she asked. She urged religious scholars and parties to distance themselves from such extremist groups and to work toward improving society through dialogue and education.
Drawing a parallel with the May 9 riots, she remarked that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) downfall began when it “took up arms.” She reiterated that her party had always pursued a political struggle within democratic limits. The chief minister also noted that authorities had recovered large caches of weapons during raids on TLP offices and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
Authorities have yet to disclose the whereabouts of TLP chief Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas Rizvi, though officials have confirmed that both will be apprehended soon.
