Section 144 imposed across North Waziristan

'Imperative to impose complete ban on sit-ins, protests to prevent any untoward situation'

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: The administration of North Waziristan imposed Section 144 in the district to maintain law and order and check rising threats of militancy.

Imposed for a month, a notification issued by the district's deputy commissioner stated that to prevent any untoward situation "it is imperative to impose complete ban on dharnas (sit-ins), protest rallies, public meetings and public gathering of five or more persons".



The notification added that entry of non-locals was also prohibited in the district as well as a complete ban on "objectionable speeches".

Political leaders of the district have strongly condemned imposing Section 144, stating it has made it impossible to run election campaigns.



The move comes following tension in North Waziristan after a clash occurred between security officials and protesters led by lawmakers Mohsin Javed Dawar and Ali Wazir at the Khar Kamar check post in Boya.



Section 144 of the CrPC

CHAPTER XI – TEMPORARY ORDERS IN URGENT CASES OF NUISANCE OR APPREHENDED DANGER 144.

Power to issue order absolute at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. in cases where, in the opinion of a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, (or of any other Executive Magistrate] specially empowered by the Provincial Government or the District Magistrate to act under this section, there is sufficient ground for proceeding under this section and immediate prevention or speedy remedy is desirable, such Magistrate may, by a written order stating the material facts of the case and served in manner provided by section 134, direct any person to abstain from a certain act or to take certain order with certain property in his possession or under his management, if such Magistrate considers that such direction is likely to prevent, or tends to prevent, obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk of obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed, or danger to human life, health or safety, or a disturbance of the public tranquility, or a riot, or an affray.

(2) An order under this section may. in cases of emergency or in cases where the circumstances do not admit of the serving in due time of a notice upon the person against whom the order is directed, be passed, exparte.

(3) An order under this section may be directed to a particular individual, or to the public generally when frequenting or visiting a particular place.

(4) Any Magistrate may, either on his own motion or on the application of any person aggrieved, rescind or alter any order made under this section by himself or by his predecessor in office.

(5) Where such an application is received, the Magistrate shall afford to the applicant an early opportunity of appearing before him either in person or by pleader and showing cause against the order; and, if the Magistrate rejects the application wholly or in part, he shall record in writing his reasons for so doing.

(6) No order under this section shall remain in force for more than two months from the making thereof, unless, in cases of danger to human life, health or safety, or a likelihood of a riot or an affray, the Provincial Government, by notification in the official Gazette, otherwise directs.