Public rallies, gatherings banned across Sindh under Section 144

The order has been issued in view of the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

KARACHI: The Sindh Home Department has issued a notification to impose Section 144 across the province in view of the deteriorating law and order situation.

In a handout issued on Monday, the department directed all law enforcement agencies and other heads of departments to ensure the implementation of the order from May 13, according to which all public rallies, political congregations, assembly of five or more people and display of weapons is prohibited across the province.

Sindh home affairs special assistant, Sharfuddin Memon, told The Express Tribune that the notification was issued and imposed with immediate effect. Under it, which prohibited rallies or processions, public meetings, demonstrations, objectionable speeches, distribution of provocative materials, disruption of business in any manner and assembly of five or more people in any corner of the province were prohibited.

In the aftermath of the elections, the city had witnessed a wave of violent activity in which a large number of activists had been shot dead in the last two days. The government had decided to impose the ban in order to maintain its writ and avoid any untoward incidents, he added. There were reports of worsening law and order situation in Sohrab Goth, Manghopir, National Highway and Jacobabad, which had resulted in the deaths of six people, according to Memon.

The home department has also directed the law enforcement agencies and army troops to enhance patrolling across the province. The notification for the imposition of Section 144 has been issued for an indefinite period of time.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.