The Punjab and federal governments on Thursday imposed Section 144 in the province and Islamabad, banning any gathering, processions or protests of more than five people ahead of protests announced by the Jammat-e-Islami (JI), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and various religious parties.
The JI plans to protest high utility prices, while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) and other religious parties have announced nationwide protests against the Supreme Court’s decision in the Mubarak Sani case. The PTI, meanwhile, had earlier this week announced it would lead nationwide rallies calling for the release of party founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail.
In a statement, the capital administration warned any violation would prompt a stern response, stressing it cannot be permitted under any circumstance. It said law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the federal capital to counter any violations and urged citizens to avoid joining any rallies as it would be deemed an illegal activity.
Separately, the Punjab Home Department said it was imposing Section 144 across the province from July 26-28. In a notification, it stressed that all public gatherings, rallies, sit-ins and protests were banned during this period in the interest of security, as they could prove targets for terrorists. “The administration will ensure the implementation of the order across Punjab,” it added.
Emphasizing that such gatherings could pose “serious security threats” and disrupt public peace and order, causing significant inconvenience to the public, it said it was necessary to ban them in the interest of public safety, security, peace and tranquility.
Also on Thursday night, the federal capital was sealed using containers, as both the JI and PTI had announced plans to converge on Islamabad for their demonstrations. A JI spokesman, meanwhile, alleged that police had raided the homes of several party workers and leaders and arrested dozens of them. He claimed that the Punjab government had detained the men in a bid to prevent its protest from proceeding.