Islamabad: The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has formally approved a ban on a religious political party, citing its involvement in violent and extremist activities across the country.

During the meeting, senior officials from the Punjab government joined via video link and briefed the cabinet on the group’s history of violence and disruption. The cabinet was informed that since its formation in 2016, the religious political party has repeatedly incited unrest and created law and order challenges in various parts of Pakistan.

The statement issued after the meeting said that although a previous government had imposed a similar ban on the organization in 2021, it was later lifted on the assurance that it would refrain from violence. However, the group allegedly failed to honor those commitments, leading to renewed calls for legal action.

Officials told the meeting that rallies and protests organized by the party had previously resulted in the deaths of security personnel and innocent civilians, along with widespread damage to public and private property. The cabinet unanimously concluded that the group’s actions amount to terrorism and extremism, warranting an immediate ban.

The Ministry of Interior has been directed to complete the necessary legal process. According to sources, the case will now be referred to the Ministry of Law, which will submit a formal reference to the Supreme Court for approval. Once the court upholds the reference, the Election Commission will officially de-notify the religious political party as a political entity.

Sources added that the reference is expected to be filed within 15 days. The final decision regarding the ban will rest with the Supreme Court.

It is worth noting that the Punjab government had already forwarded its recommendation to the interior ministry a week earlier.

According to the summary presented in the meeting under Section XI B1 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the organization has been accused of spreading sectarian hatred, promoting violence, and damaging Pakistan’s international reputation.

The charge sheet also alleges that the group was involved in attacks against minorities, mob violence, and property destruction. It further claims that the organization manufactured weapons and participated in sectarian clashes during Muharram in Sheikhupura and Mianwali, which left 70 people injured and five dead.

In recent protests, one police officer was martyred, six civilians were injured, and 47 policemen sustained injuries—some of whom were left permanently disabled.