Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Thursday, Azma Bukhari warned that armed mobs that challenge the state’s writ would not be tolerated.

The minister condemned the violence carried out in the name of Palestine and said the protesters had resorted to arson and attacks on public property.

She said ordinary citizens had been humiliated and police personnel held hostage during the unrest.

“We will take every measure to maintain law and order in the province,” she said, adding that no one would be permitted to disturb peace in Punjab.

Azma Bokhari reminded that Section 144 is in force across the province and that sit-ins and protests are banned.

On action against illegal weapons, the minister said that Punjab would be made weapon-free.

She announced a complete ban on the illegal purchase and sale of weapons and said all kinds of illegal weapons must be surrendered.

She added that 28 licences of arms dealers had been cancelled, while those who have arms licences must register at service centres.

Bokhari said around 10 lakh people held firearm licences in Punjab, and that more than 42,000 licences were registered in the names of various institutions.

The minister warned that anyone who tried to force markets to close or block transport would face terrorism charges.

Posters and publicity material of extremist groups have been completely banned, and no advertising material will be allowed, she said.

Referring to recent incidents, Bokhari said weapons seized in 2021 had later been used in attacks in 2025.

She said dozens of calls were received reporting vehicles being snatched and government vehicles targeted.

“Such moves could only be the work of a criminal mind,” she added.

On finances and foreign supporters of the group, she said the federal cabinet’s decision on banning the group was expected within hours and that the Punjab government had submitted a complete case file.

She claimed that authorities had identified 3,600 domestic and overseas financiers linked to the group and that the accounts of key figures had been frozen.

A list of those who had financed the group had been prepared, she said, adding that no funding was currently reaching the organisation.

Azma Bokhari said police faced violence during the religious party’s protests, with officers attacked and police vehicles seized.

She said properties were set on fire during demonstrations and warned that a repeat would fail.

“They cannot fight the state,” she said. “A decision on the fate of this extremist group will be taken by the federation shortly. This government does not reverse its decisions.”

She added that people living illegally in Punjab would be sent back to their countries and that information on undocumented residents was being collected.

“We have the means to deal with each individual, and arrests will be made soon,” she said.

The minister said the prosecution cell was monitoring violations of the loudspeaker law and preparing daily reports.

Loudspeakers, she noted, are meant for Friday sermons and calls to prayer; no one is allowed to take the law into their own hands.

She said 75 inflammatory social media links had been blocked.

She said shops of unlicensed arms dealers had been sealed and vowed to take every step necessary to preserve peace in the province.