LAHORE (MNN); The Punjab government has constituted 12 joint investigation teams (JITs) to probe multiple cases registered against the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore and Sheikhupura, according to official notifications made public on Wednesday.
The provincial home department issued 11 notifications dated November 6 and one dated October 31. As per the documents seen by Dawn, five JITs have been formed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 for as many cases filed against the TLP in Sheikhupura district — four in Muridke tehsil and one in Ferozewala tehsil.
Seven additional JITs have been created for investigations into seven cases registered in Lahore: three in Nawankot, three in Shahdara Town and one in the Ravi Road area.
Each JIT in Sheikhupura will include six officials: an SP, SDPO, SHO, investigating officer (IO), a CTD representative in the rank of DSP, and one co-opted member. For Lahore, each team will consist of five members: SP Investigation, DSP Investigation, IO, a CTD DSP, and any co-opted member.
The notifications further state that the convener of each JIT must nominate a member responsible for submitting the inquiry report, as per Section 19(1) of the ATA 1997.
The formation of the JITs coincides with the Punjab government’s sustained crackdown on the now-banned TLP, which escalated after violent clashes occurred in Muridke last month between party supporters and law enforcement personnel during a pro-Palestine march toward Islamabad.
The federal government subsequently outlawed the group at Punjab’s request, stating that the TLP was involved in terrorism and violent acts. Meanwhile, police are actively searching for TLP chief Saad Rizvi and his brother Anas Rizvi, both of whom are wanted in more than 100 FIRs and have been listed as high-profile targets.
Both were also placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) on October 29, along with 21 other senior leaders, to prevent their travel abroad.
A senior official at the Central Police Office (CPO) Lahore said that police have so far arrested 1,250 key TLP workers, including financiers and individuals wanted in over 100 criminal cases. He added that Lahore remains the main operational base of the party, prompting intensified action in the provincial capital.
Geofencing data from Lahore and Muridke was used to prepare a list of targeted TLP activists, while another list of the group’s financiers was distributed to all 85 police stations in the city. Police raids continue daily.
According to sources, the families of wanted TLP activists are under significant distress due to frequent raids, with many leaving their homes and going into hiding.
On Tuesday, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari announced that assets worth Rs23.40 billion linked to the TLP had been frozen, along with 92 bank accounts associated with the organisation.
