From November 23 to 25, the provincial government prohibits public gatherings for three days.
LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province,
banning all forms of public gatherings, protests, rallies, processions, and sit-ins for three days.
According to a notification issued on Friday, the restrictions will be in effect from Saturday, November 23, to Monday, November 25.
Citing worries about public order and security, the Cabinet Committee recommended that Section 144 be implemented.
As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for its demonstration on November 24, the action is intended to avoid any disruption.
A notification released on Friday stated that the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order’s recommendation served as the basis for the decision.
The PTI, led by its imprisoned founder Imran Khan,
The PTI, led by its imprisoned founder Imran Khan, has demanded protests across the country against the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment, the incarceration of party employees,
and suspected electoral tampering in the February 8 elections.
The protest on November 24 has been dubbed “do-or-die” by the party.
In order to assist local law enforcement,
Rangers in strategic districts including as Rawalpindi, Attock,and Jhelum is standby
the Punjab government has stationed Rangers in strategic districts including as Rawalpindi, Attock,
and Jhelum to support local law enforcement.
With forces already ordered to be deployed in Rawalpindi and Attock starting today,
November 22, a request for more Rangers was submitted to the Ministry of Interior earlier this week.
Meanwhile, gatherings of more than five individuals are prohibited by Section 144, which Islamabad has enforced for two months.
In anticipation of a possibly disruptive demonstration, the federal capital is preparing to use shipping containers and increased security to block off the city.
Punjab has placed more than 10,700 police officers on standby to quell the PTI’s protest.
1,200 officers from the Training Directorate, 1,000 from the Special Protection Unit, and 3,500 from the Punjab Highway Patrol are included in this.
Rubber bullets, tear gas and anti-riot equipment have also been provided to police units.
The government of Islamabad has asked Punjab, Sindh, and Kashmir for an additional 8,000 soldiers.
By November 21, reinforcements are expected to reach the nation’s capital.
Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) forces have already been sent in to provide heavy security for the city.
Any effort to interfere with law and order will face severe consequences, according to authorities.
The Islamabad police have also created arrest lists of those they believe are likely to cause disturbance.
Authorities have also been instructed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to make sure that any demonstration stays within the bounds of the law.
The IHC highlighted in its decision how crucial it is to strike a balance between people’ rights to peaceful assembly and public safety.
In order to avoid confrontations, the court advised the government to hold talks with PTI leadership.
