The Islamabad district administration on Monday said Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code is in force in the capital, potentially hampering the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned protest over denial of meetings with Imran Khan.
Last week, the PTI announced it would stage a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Dec. 2 (Tuesday), followed by a sit-in outside Adiala Jail. It said the demonstration aimed to pressure the government into allowing Khan’s family to meet him. According to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, no one has been permitted to meet Khan since Nov. 4.
In a statement, the Islamabad administration said no gathering of five or more people was permitted in the capital so long as Section 144 remained in place. It warned that strict action would be taken against any unlawful gatherings. “Police and other law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert,” it said, adding all agencies including police would ensure law and order.
The district administration has also issued a public advisory for citizens, urging them to avoid taking part in activities declared unlawful under Section 144. It has advised citizens to cooperate with enforcement teams and report any activity they believe might violate the ban.
Separately, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema issued a notification imposing Section 144 in the Punjab city. “Section 144 will remain in effect from Dec. 1 to 3,” read the notification.
On Nov. 27, the KP C.M. staged a 16-hour sit-in outside Adiala Jail after being denied a meeting with Khan for the eighth time.
KP police
Ahead of the PTI’s protest call, KP Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Security Division Shakir Hussain Dawar has issued a circular directing police officials of the province to perform their duties solely within their legal and geographical jurisdictions. It reminds police personnel they are duty-bound to maintain neutrality and must not take part in any form of political activity.
Previously, the federal government had expressed concerns over the PTI potentially using the provincial police force for political purposes, as the party had previously done during its protests last year.