Section 144 imposed in Lahore ahead of PTI’s planned protest

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in Lahore, banning political gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, and protests for six days, local media channel reported on Thursday.

The restrictions will be in place from October 3 to October 8 with the provincial goverrnment aiming to maintain law and order and protect lives and property.

According to the official notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, public gatherings could become soft targets for terrorist attacks.

The decision comes just days before Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest in Lahore, scheduled for this Saturday.

Earlier, authorities in Islamabad also enforced Section 144 and the Peaceful Assembly Act, prohibiting public gatherings in restricted areas.

The high-security zone, red zone, and surrounding areas were marked as restricted for security purposes, according to a police statement.

ICT Police reiterated their commitment to safeguarding citizens’ lives and property, warning that anyone engaging in unlawful activities would be held accountable. Citizens were urged to avoid participating in any illegal gatherings.

Case filed against PTI leaders and workers for breaching Section 144 in Rawalpindi

The police stated that a case has been registered and that raids are being conducted to apprehend the other suspects.

A case has been registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers at the RA Bazaar police station for violating Section 144 in Rawalpindi.

The case, filed by the police, includes charges under Section 16 of the MPO, Section 188 for violating Section 144, blocking the road, chanting slogans against the Punjab government and other related offences, Express News reported.

According to the complainant, the police force was present at Kalma Chowk for law and order duties when PTI leaders Khalid Judoon, Mushtaq Shahzad, Khatib Rahman, and Raja Babar led 15 workers in a rally on Dhamiyal Road.

The rally participants blocked the road and began chanting slogans against the Punjab government, prompting the police team to arrest Raja Babar Hussain, while the others managed to flee into the streets.

The accused violated the ban by holding a rally, blocking the road, and protesting against the Punjab government, thus committing an offense.

The police stated that a case has been registered and that raids are being conducted to apprehend the other suspects.

Earlier a plea challenging the imposition of Section 144 was filed in the Lahore High Court.

The petitioner, Naji Ullah, represented by Advocate Azhar Siddique, argued that the enforcement of this section was a tactic to prevent the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from conducting its political activities.

PTI protesters, responding to a call from their leader Imran Khan, hit the streets in Rawalpindi on Saturday, igniting intense clashes with police that turned the city into a battleground.

A sense of foreboding and tension hung in the air in the garrison city as the embattled party prepared for a protest in Rawalpindi with Section 144 in effect, echoing recent clashes that marred its power shows amid mounting obstacles.