The Punjab government on Sunday imposed a five-day ban on public gatherings across the province, citing “multiple threat alerts” of possible terrorist activities.
Imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the restrictions would remain in place until Sept. 17 (Thursday), according to a notification from the Home Department. Under the restrictions, processions and gatherings of five or more people at public places, roads, highways and open spaces are banned from Sept. 13-17. The restrictions do not apply to marriage ceremonies, funeral prayers, congregations at mosques and other places of worship, court proceedings or official government events. They also ban “inciting” people to participate in unlawful assemblies.
“Credible reports have been received from law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and intelligence agencies (IAs) mentioning a serious and imminent threat to public peace, tranquility, and the safety of life and property across the province of Punjab by militant/terrorist organizations and hostile intelligence agencies (HIAS),” read the notification.
It said intelligence agencies had issued “multiple threat alerts” about possible attacks involving suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and targeted killings. Such attacks, it said, could occur at “large public gatherings across Punjab to create mayhem, social unrest and disrupt public peace.”
According to the Home Department, public assemblies and demonstrations could become “potential targets for such terrorist attacks.” It said there was a “strong apprehension that certain elements may engage in activities, gatherings, or demonstrations that are likely to cause assemblies of persons.”
It said the Punjab police chief, Counter-Terrorism Department, Special Branch of Punjab Police and several district administrations had called for “immediate preventive measures” in view of the potential threats.
Separately, the government has also imposed restrictions on carrying, displaying or brandishing weapons at public places. Law enforcement, intelligence, and security personnel are exempt from this while performing their official duties.
The latest restrictions come ahead of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s planned tour of Punjab as part of mobilization efforts for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned long march on Islamabad next week (Sept. 27). He had initially announced a two-day trip starting from Daud Khel and concluding at Lahore. However, he said his plans had changed in light of the death of a party worker from Lahore and now he would commence his trip with a visit to the aggrieved family.