Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz hands over TLP seminaries to Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rahman

Abdullah Ahmad

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday announced that the control of seminaries previously run by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has been transferred to prominent religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rahman. The move comes days after the federal government banned the TLP on October 24, following violent protests that claimed the lives of a police officer, three civilians, and left dozens injured.

Addressing a meeting of Ittehad-e-Bain-ul-Muslimeen in Lahore, Maryam said that seminaries and mosques are meant for imparting religious education, not for inciting violence. “The images of destruction during the protests were beyond imagination — vehicles were set on fire and roads were blocked, causing immense difficulties for the public,” she stated.

The Punjab CM criticized the now-banned TLP for what she called “acting on its own whims” and said such behavior had brought disgrace to religious leaders and political movements across the country.

She noted that while the TLP had announced a sit-in outside the US Embassy to express solidarity with Gaza, the group resorted to confrontations with police in Muridke after authorities dismantled their protest camps. “The government’s duty is to protect the lives and property of citizens. Embassies worldwide are respected and safeguarded,” Maryam said.

Expressing disappointment over TLP’s decision to protest despite an existing peace agreement regarding Gaza, she questioned how the group’s actions could be termed solidarity with Palestine. “How was it solidarity when they called for attacking Islamabad after the peace deal?” she asked.

Maryam urged religious parties to separate themselves from extremist groups and called on scholars to play their role in promoting peace and unity. Drawing parallels with the May 9 riots, she said, “The downfall of PTI began when it took up arms. Political struggles should never turn violent — we never resorted to violence in our journey.”

The chief minister also revealed that large quantities of weapons were recovered from TLP offices, questioning the purpose of keeping arms for a protest.

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of TLP chief Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas Rizvi remain unknown, though authorities have indicated that both will be taken into custody soon.