Punjab Assembly Speaker backs government ban on hardline TLP group

By our Staff Reporter Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan — Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has voiced strong support for the government’s decision to ban the hardline religious group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), saying that the state should not engage in dialogue with any organization involved in terrorism or violence.

Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Malik Ahmad Khan said, “This is a good decision. We should not talk to any terrorist organization. Talks are only held with those who understand and believe in dialogue. The state must enforce its writ under all circumstances.”

The Punjab Assembly Speaker praised both the provincial and federal governments for taking a firm stance against the group, which has been accused of violent street protests and clashes with law enforcement in the past.

He added that political and administrative institutions needed unity on key national issues. “If people in the provinces stop engaging with the federation, the foundations of the country will be shaken,” he warned, criticizing the growing trend of using assemblies as platforms for protest and wasting public resources.

Responding to questions about potential talks with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Malik Ahmad Khan said, “Even after wars or killings, issues are ultimately resolved through dialogue. The Prime Minister has already opened the door for talks.”

He also mentioned that a “world-renowned company of Indian origin” had allegedly left Pakistan after paying billions of rupees, without providing further details.