ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to file a reference in the Supreme Court to declare the Tehreek e Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) an outlawed organization.

The TLP had filed a review appeal against the Ministry of Interior’s ban on it. Following which, the ministry had formed a committee and then it decided to file a reference against the political party seeking to annul its registration.

If the top court decides in favour of the government’s appeal then the Election Commission of Pakistan would be able to delist it, as the TLP is registered as a political party with the ECP.

The ruling party had earlier in April banned the TLP allegedly for creating anarchy across the country after the government arrested the latter’s chief Saad Rizvi. The TLP was planning to march towards Islamabad after the government did not show interest in fulfilling its promise which was made to the party during its protest earlier.

On Apr 14, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had said that the TLP was banned under Anti-terrorism Act 1997 (11) B. “Two policemen have been martyred and 340 others have suffered injuries at the hands of the TLP protestors,” he had said while addressing media in Islamabad.

On Apr 16, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said the government took action against the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) under anti-terrorism law when it challenged the writ of the state and used street violence.

“The TLP attacked the public and the law enforcers. No one can be above the law and the constitution,” he had tweeted.