An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore declared 24 leaders of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), including party chief Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi, as proclaimed offenders in a case related to arson, vandalism and attacks on police.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill conducted the hearing on an application filed by the Badami Bagh Police requesting the court to declare the accused absconders.

The court also issued permanent arrest warrants for the 24 absconding leaders after police informed the court that proclamation notices had already been published, but the accused failed to appear.

The police stated that the suspects had gone into hiding to avoid arrest.

Among those declared proclaimed offenders are Hafiz Saad Hussain Rizvi, Anas Hussain Rizvi, Mian Jameel Ahmad Sharqpuri, Mian Jalil Ahmad Sharqpuri, Allama Farooqul Hassan and Mufti Abid Raza Qadri, along with several other party leaders and activists.

A case bearing FIR No. 1956/25 has been registered against the accused at Badami Bagh Police Station.

Police said the accused were involved in inciting party workers to commit arson, vandalism and violence against police officials.