No More Hiding: ATC Declares Saad Rizvi and 23 TLP Leaders “Proclaimed Offenders”

LAHORE — The legal net is tightening around the leadership of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). In a decisive move on Tuesday, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) officially declared party chief Saad Rizvi and 23 other top leaders as proclaimed offenders (POs).

The ruling, delivered by Judge Manzer Ali Gill, comes in response to a string of violent attacks on police officials last year. With the suspects reportedly “absconding due to fear of arrest,” the court has now issued perpetual arrest warrants, ensuring the case remains active until they are brought to justice.

The Federal Crackdown: A Unanimous Ban

While the courts handle the individuals, the federal government has moved against the organization itself. Following a wave of violent protests earlier this month, the federal cabinet unanimously approved a ban on the TLP under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

“Those who adopt the path of violence have no right to be given political rights,” stated Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.

Key Highlights of the Crackdown

The government’s strategy to “purge” the party of extremist elements involves several aggressive layers:

• Financial Freeze: Authorities have identified approximately 3,800 TLP financiers. Sources of funding have been blocked, and 95 bank accounts linked to Saad Rizvi have been frozen.

• Asset Seizure: During raids, officials reportedly recovered 1.92kg of gold, nearly a kilogram of silver, and dozens of luxury watches from Rizvi’s residence.

• Institutional Control: The management of 130 TLP-linked mosques has been handed over to the Auqaf Department, while 223 seminaries have been geo-tagged for monitoring.

• The Fourth Schedule: Top leadership has been placed on the Fourth Schedule of the ATA, a watch list for individuals suspected of terrorism or sectarianism.

The Cost of Chaos: Weapon Snatching and Violence

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari recently laid out the staggering scale of damage caused by TLP activists. According to provincial reports, the group’s “modus operandi” involved surrounding police to snatch equipment.

What Happens Next?

Banning a political party in Pakistan is a complex legal maneuver. While the federal cabinet has approved the ban, the Constitution (Article 17-2) dictates that the final decision rests with the Supreme Court. The government must refer the matter to the apex court within 15 days, where the declaration will face its ultimate judicial test.

Currently, the whereabouts of Saad Rizvi remain unconfirmed, though Punjab authorities believe he and his brother, Anas Rizvi, may have fled to POK.

With over 500 suspects already on physical remand and a “zero-tolerance” policy on weapon licenses in Punjab, the state is sending a clear message: the era of violent street vetoes is over.