In response to the opposition’s call for protests across various cities, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings for three days in eight cities. This move comes ahead of demonstrations planned by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as part of its broader political campaign.
On Tuesday, PTI announced a fresh wave of protests in several districts of Punjab, including the provincial capital, Lahore. The party’s political committee revealed plans for simultaneous rallies in six districts between October 11 and October 14, demanding the supremacy of the Constitution, judicial independence, and the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated in Adiala Jail.
In response, the Punjab government has reimposed Section 144 in Multan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Vehari, Pakpattan, Okara, and Wazirabad. According to a government notification, the ban will remain in effect from Thursday, October 10, to Saturday, October 12.
A spokesperson for the provincial Home Department stated that the decision was made following requests from district administrations, citing security concerns as the primary reason. The ban will prevent all political gatherings, rallies, protests, sit-ins, and similar activities in these cities. The spokesperson emphasized that the imposition of Section 144 was necessary to maintain law and order and protect citizens and property, as public gatherings could be vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
Despite the restrictions, PTI has reaffirmed its commitment to proceeding with the protests. The revised schedule includes rallies in Multan and Sahiwal on October 11, Gujranwala and Sargodha on October 12, Dera Ghazi Khan on October 13, and Lahore and Faisalabad on October 14.
The party has also hinted at the possibility of organizing a nationwide protest in Islamabad, contingent on further deliberations within its leadership.
The move has heightened tensions in the region, with citizens and political observers closely monitoring the situation in the coming days.
