Inspector General of Punjab (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar on Friday warned that no individual or group would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
His warning, posted on the Punjab Police’s They could engage in violent clashes and widespread chaos after Friday prayers.
Meanwhile, a separate group called Tanzeemat-i-Ahle Sunnat, which is not linked to the TLP, also called for protests today, demanding a judicial inquiry into an operation that was launched before dawn on Monday to dismantle the TLP protest camp in Muridke. The law enforcement action caused violent clashes, chaos and dozens of arrests.
There have been reports that authorities have been tough on the TLP since the Muridke incident and Punjab police are planning an offensive to arrest TLP leaders and scupper the party’s plans for today’s protests.
A post on the Punjab Police account on social media platform
“The Punjab Police stands with the civil society and the traders community, who have rejected the call for protest and strike and have expressed their determination to [maintaining] peace and stability,” the police chief said according to the statement.
He said he “strongly condemned the violent protests, arson and illegal activities”, warning that no individual or group would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. He also warned that “indiscriminate” measures would be taken against those who violate the law.
The IGP also ensured full implementation of section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit a gathering of four or more people in an area for a limited period) to ensure security of public and private properties.
The Punjab government yesterday imposed Section 144 across the province for two days.
A later police release said security was on high alert across the province on the directive of the IGP. “Punjab Police has further strengthened foolproof security measures in the province including Lahore. On the directive of IGP of Punjab, instructions have been issued to all field officers to remain on high alert and take immediate action to ensure protection of lives and properties of the public,” the statement said.
He added that district police officers, special branch personnel and the anti-terrorism department had been ordered “to keep a close watch on suspicious activities.”
In another statement released around noon, the police said the situation was normal in cities of Punjab.
In an earlier post that specifically mentioned Multan and Bhakkar, a statement quoted IGP Anwar as saying that “under no circumstances will anyone be allowed to take the law into their hands under the guise of protests or strikes.”
The IGP had also issued similar warnings yesterday, saying: “We have decided to deal with the offenders under anti-terrorism and other heinous charges and bring them to court for sentences of up to 10 and 14 years.”
Meanwhile, a Sunrise The report said police had planned an offensive to arrest TLP leaders and thwart their protest plans for today.
LHC seeks answers from Punjab govt, police
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) sought responses from the Punjab government and police on October 23 to the pleas filed by the TLP.
The petitions call for the return of the bodies of TLP workers allegedly killed during the police operation in Muridke and medical treatment for the injured.
Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry presided over today’s hearing, during which lawyer Naseem Usman represented the TLP.
Punjab seeks TLP ban
A day earlier, the Punjab government had decided to ask the Center to ban the TLP. In a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government also decided to include the TLP leadership in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Without naming any party, an official pamphlet referred to decisions taken against an “extremist party.” However, Information Minister Azma Bokhari later confirmed that the reference was to the TLP.
According to the pamphlet, Punjab will “recommend to the federal government to impose a ban on an extremist party and that the leadership of the party be included in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act.”
The Fourth Schedule is a list of proscribed persons suspected of terrorism and/or sectarianism under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
Apart from these recommendations, Punjab also decided to arrest all “people involved in hate speech, incitement and violation of law. All leaders and workers involved in martyrdom of police officers and damaging state property will be tried in anti-terrorism courts (ATC).”
“All properties and assets of the extremist party will be handed over to the Punjab Auqaf department. There will be a complete ban on posters, banners and advertisements of the extremist party,” the statement added.
He further said that all bank accounts of the party will be frozen and social media accounts spreading hate will also be deleted. Punjab would also ensure strict action in case of violation of the Speakers Act.
It is worth mentioning here that the federal government banned TLP in April 2021 on the recommendation of the Punjab government under the ATA.
The ban was later revoked in November of that year at the request of the Punjab government, days after a deal was reached with the group to end its violent protest march towards Islamabad.
Meanwhile, four cabinet members also said Thursday that the crackdown on TLP officials would continue. Minister of Home Affairs Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister of Information Ataullah Tarar, Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf and Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry described the TLP as a group of anarchists and arsonists who have no political agenda except challenging the authority of the State.
“The TLP leaders have been misleading the nation from the beginning. We held talks with them even before the protest march began, but they never stood firm on any commitment,” Naqvi said.
Rana Bilal additional information
