Section 144 imposed in Peshawar

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has ordered imposing Section 144 in Peshawar for three days till May 3 (Wednesday) in order to prevent any “breach of peace” after credible reports of attempts to sabotage the law and order situation emerged.

On the provincial government orders, Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Shah Fahad imposed Section 144 in the city.

The section empowers the district administration to issue order in public interest and place a ban on any activity for a specific period of time.

According to a notification issued by the Peshawar deputy commissioner on Monday, “the law enforcement agencies have been provided credible information that non-state actors and miscreants are planning to sabotage the general law and order and peaceful atmosphere in the district. And to prevent a breach of peace, it is imperative to take extraordinary measures in the greater public interest.”

Fahad said that there was an apprehension of miscreants trying to exploit any unlawful gatherings and assemblies by way of terrorist/militant activity and lead to a mishap.

“Therefore, I, Shah Fahad hereby order and impose a ban on unlawful and unauthorised gathering and assembly of more than five persons within the premises of Peshawar district.”

The development came as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf took out a Labour Day rally led by former defence minister Pervez Khattak in Peshawar.

Addressing the rally, Khattak said unless the date of the election is given, negotiations with the government will not be successful.

The rally was attended by a large number of PTI workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2023.