Section 144 imposed in Punjab ahead of PTI's Nov 24 protest

Punjab imposes Section 144 for 3 days, banning protests, rallies, and sit-ins for security concerns.

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province, effectively banning all public gatherings, protests, rallies, processions, and sit-ins for a period of three days.

In this connection, the Punjab Home Department has issued a notification regarding the enforcement of Section 144 across the province, Express News reported on Friday.

According to the notification, all forms of protests, rallies, processions, and sit-ins are prohibited. The Section 144 will be in effect from November 23 to November 25.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the recommendation to enforce Section 144 was made during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Law and Order. The decision to impose Section 144 was made to ensure peace, protect human lives, and safeguard property.

In view of security concerns, any public procession could be a soft target for terrorists. Miscreants might exploit public gatherings to carry out anti-state activities and achieve their malicious objectives.

‘Nothing can stop Novemeber 24 march’

PTI founder Imran Khan has said that despite being granted bail, he has not been released, and now the planned protest march to Islamabad on November 24 will take place under all circumstances.

The founder of the PTI stated that the deadline has passed, and nothing can stop his party from proceeding. "The fact that I have not been released, despite being granted bail, means that these people are not serious about negotiations. They had a golden opportunity to release me."

During an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail on Thursday, Imran further said that Ali Amin Gandapur and Barrister Gohar had offered to postpone the protest, claiming that everything would be fine.

"I had demanded the release of myself and the under-trial individuals to assess the seriousness of the negotiations. This demand was something that could have been fulfilled immediately, but they did not do it," the incarcerated former prime minister said.

"Negotiations were ongoing, but it became clear that they were not serious; they just wanted to delay the protest. The high court approved my bail yesterday, and the government had a golden opportunity to release me. It became clear that the government wants to engage me and prolong the matter."

He said it also became evident that the real power lies with those who orchestrated this. "All this was done to show that they are above the law, and can do whatever they want."

The PTI founder further stated that while he is in jail, case after case is being filed against him.

"This is what a banana republic looks like. I am sending a message to lawyers, judges, workers, and social activists to come out on November 24 for the protest. The high court grants bail, but here it is decided in advance that I will not be released. Once the 26th Constitutional Amendment is fully implemented, there will be no relief from anywhere."

He added that as a living nation, the people of Pakistan have no option but to protest. "On November 24, there will be a massive protest by Pakistanis living abroad because they live in free countries. We now know the government's intentions—there will be protests, but negotiations will continue."

He asserted that the protest on November 24 will definitely take place. Imran added it was clear that the rulers would not release him before November 24.

"Why should we trust them?" he asked. "If negotiations take place, only then will progress be made. If they are serious about talks, they should release our people. While in jail, I have been charged in 60 cases. How many surety bonds did Nawaz Sharif submit? Even biometric data was taken at the airport. I cannot name the people involved in the ongoing negotiations, but I can say that there is no seriousness in them."

He underlined that the release of all arrested individuals is part of their charter of demands. "I have been granted bail in all major cases, but despite this, I have not been released. There has been no seriousness in these negotiations. Political parties never close the doors to negotiations. We will protest, and negotiations will continue."

Earlier, PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser stated that the government has made contact for negotiations with Ali Amin Gandapur, and Imran Khan has allowed Gandapur to lead the talks over his release.

In a conversation with a private channel at his residence in Swabi, Asad Qaiser said that the contact for negotiations with Ali Amin Gandapur has been made, and now the party will decide how and to what extent they want to negotiate.

"However, the most important thing is that the PTI founder has allowed Gandapur to negotiate. Now, it remains to be seen how serious the government is and how seriously they move forward with this agenda."