The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province, citing the “prevailing law and order situation,” which effectively bans protests and public gatherings. This decision coincides with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s plan for nationwide protests demanding the release of their incarcerated leader, Imran Khan.
According to an order from the Home Department, seen by Dawn.com, the ban is effective immediately and will last for seven days. The Punjab Police highlighted that Section 144 empowers authorities to issue orders in the public interest, which may include banning activities for a specific period.
The order states, “In view of the prevailing law and order situation and security threats, any gathering or assembly is likely to provide soft targets to terrorists and miscreants, posing serious security threats and likely causing public inconvenience and disorder.”
Although a specific reason for the ban was not detailed, Home Secretary Noor Ul Amin Mengal wrote that “pressing and adequate grounds exist for proceeding under Section 144 as an immediate prevention and speedy remedy.”
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Effective immediately, assemblies, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, processions, demonstrations, jalsas, dharnas, protests, and similar activities are prohibited.
The imposition of Section 144 coincides with PTI’s announcement of nationwide protests for Imran Khan’s release. On social media platform X, PTI reported “multiple illegal police raids” on PTI leaders’ homes in Khanewal and the ransacking of PTI leader PP-209 Khanewal Humayun Khan’s office.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub condemned the imposition of Section 144, asking Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah to rule it as a constitutional violation. PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan criticized the ban as “a shameful act,” claiming it demonstrated the government’s fear of Imran Khan and would only increase the determination of his followers.
“Imran Khan will triumph. People will triumph. Pakistan will triumph. Nothing can stop their momentum to realize their dream,” Hasan added.
