Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) is a far-right Islamist political party founded in 2017 by cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi. The party primarily draws its support from Pakistan’s Barelvi Sunni community, especially in Punjab. TLP emerged in response to the execution of Mumtaz Qadri — the assassin of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer — who was executed for opposing criticism of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The group quickly transformed this event into a symbol of religious devotion and defiance against perceived liberalism.
TLP rose to prominence through emotionally charged campaigns centred on blasphemy issues. Leveraging social media platforms and street protests, the party successfully mobilised large segments of urban and semi-urban Barelvi followers. In the 2018 general elections, TLP secured over 2.2 million votes, becoming one of the most prominent religious political movements in Pakistan’s electoral landscape. Its blend of religious symbolism, populist rhetoric, and anti-establishment sentiment helped it capture a significant portion of public imagination.
The TLP’s ability to mobilise massive street protests gives it significant leverage over Pakistan’s political system. The group has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to paralyse major cities and pressure state institutions into policy concessions. Despite being banned multiple times, enforcement remains inconsistent due to the TLP’s religious legitimacy, extensive clerical networks, and local financial backing. The state’s attempts to suppress the group often lead to violent clashes, followed by negotiations and reinstatement — creating a persistent cycle of confrontation.
While temporarily banning the TLP may offer short-term calm, it rarely ensures long-term stability. The group’s ability to reignite protests over religious sensitivities highlights Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to balance political authority with religious populism. TLP’s continued relevance underscores a deeper challenge within Pakistan’s socio-political framework — where faith-based mobilisation can outmaneuver formal state power and shape national discourse on governance and identity.
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