Section 144 imposed in Islamabad as protests erupt over Khamenei's killing
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The district administration of Islamabad on Sunday imposed Section 144 in the federal capital, declaring all types of gatherings unlawful in the wake of protests following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes launched by Israel and the United States a day earlier.
District Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon announced the measure on X, urging citizens not to take part in any gathering, protest, demonstration, or assembly, and warning that strict legal action would be taken against violators.
وفاقی دارالحکومت اسلام آباد میں دفعہ 144 کا نفاذ ہے جس کے تحت تمام قسم کے اجتماعات کو غیر قانونی تصور کیا جائے گا، شہریوں سے گزارش ہے کسی بھی اجتماع یا اکٹھ کا حصہ مت بنیں، کسی بھی احتجاج، مظاہرے یا اجتماع کی صورت میں سخت قانونی کاروائی کی جائے گی
The move comes as Tehreek-e-Jafaria Pakistan announced a protest and a planned encirclement of the US Embassy in the capital. Authorities have responded by sealing the Red Zone and deploying additional personnel on all roads leading to it.
Read: Nine killed in Karachi clashes during march towards US Consulate after Khamenei strike
Security checkpoints have also been intensified, with every vehicle and motorcycle being thoroughly inspected, while armoured vehicles and extra forces have also been deployed. Islamabad Police have urged citizens not to travel towards the Red Zone.
All routes leading to the Red Zone have been completely closed, while a heavy contingent of police has been deployed in the area.
Media representatives and DSNG vehicles, which are news gathering vehicles, present in the Red Zone have been moved out. According to a police official, no one is allowed to carry out coverage within the Red Zone.
Protests have been reported across Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore following the assassination of 86-year-old Khamenei, whose death was confirmed by Iranian state media on Saturday.
Read More: Pakistan condemns ‘unwarranted attacks’ on Iran, urges diplomacy at UNSC
Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation, targeting US troops in the region and cities in Israel and Arab countries allied with Washington, leading to widespread flight cancellations across the region.
US President Donald Trump said the air strikes were aimed at ending a decades-long threat from Iran and ensuring it could not develop a nuclear weapon, as he sought to justify a move that appeared to go against his professed opposition to American involvement in complex overseas conflicts.