Balochistan imposes month-long Section 144

Display and use of weapons, pillion riding on motorcycles completely banned; covering face in public also prohibited

QUETTA:

The Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 across the province for one month, citing heightened security concerns, recent terrorists attacks and the overall law-and-order situation.

The decision took immediate effect and will remain in force from February 1 until the end of February, according to an official notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department on Sunday.

The move followed a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations in Balochistan that occurred a day earlier. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed as security forces repelled the attacks across the province on Saturday, while 15 security personnel were also martyred in combat.

“Terrorists of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan attempted to disturb the peace of Balochistan by conducting multiple terrorist activities around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni,” the ISPR said in a statement.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the developments as a major success. Addressing a press conference today, he said forces remained alert in other parts of the province where incidents later occurred, adding that more than 5,800 intelligence-based operations were conducted over a 40-hour period.

Under the notification, the display and use of weapons have been completely banned. Brandishing arms, aerial firing or carrying weapons at public or private places will be treated as serious offences.

The order also bans pillion riding on motorcycles, though authorities said exemptions for women and children are under consideration, in line with previous notifications.

"The movement of vehicles with tinted or blackened windows has been prohibited, along with the use of unregistered vehicles and motorcycles. Gatherings of five or more people, including rallies, processions, protests or public meetings of political, religious or social nature, have also been banned. Any such activity will require prior approval from the relevant district administration," it said.

Covering one’s face in public places using masks, mufflers or cloth has been prohibited, except for medical or other legitimate reasons. The notification warned that violators will face strict legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code and other relevant laws, which may include imprisonment of up to six months or fines.

Police, levies, the Frontier Corps and other law enforcement agencies have been granted full authority to enforce the restrictions.

Officials said the measures were essential to protect lives and property, strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and prevent any untoward incidents. The provincial government has urged citizens across all districts to fully comply with the restrictions and cooperate with authorities to help maintain peace.

Also Read: 92 terrorists killed, 15 security personnel martyred

Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s findings show that “all the linkages point towards India” in the recent attacks across Balochistan that were claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

Speaking to reporters in his hometown of Sialkot, Asif said the BLA “is an internationally recognised terrorist organisation and banned internationally,” adding that it seeks to maintain its visibility “to get foreign funding by India.” He said the group had carried out attacks on civilians, including kidnappings of civilians and government employees.

He alleged that the outfit had tried to mask its activities by adopting a human rights posture. “They have also worn a veil in the form of human rights activism, a kind of costume in the shape of BYC and the missing persons’ narrative,” he said.

Recalling his earlier tenure as defence minister, Asif said he had stated eight years ago that many individuals described as missing persons were in fact members of terrorist organisations such as the BLA.

“They are agents of these terrorist organisations who attack our offices and homes,” he said. According to him, when such individuals are killed, they are identified as terrorists, while a “false narrative” is created around missing persons.

The BLA claimed responsibility for the attacks in a social media post, describing them as the second phase of “Operation Heroof.”

Security sources also claimed that Indian media outlets and India-linked social media accounts amplified support for Fitna al Hindustan during the attacks, which they described as part of a coordinated hostile information campaign.