Section 144: Travel bans and gag orders on 56 clerics

27 clerics prohibited from making public speeches and 31 clerics from entering the city during Muharram.

LAHORE:

The city government invoked Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code on Monday to prohibit 27 clerics from making public speeches and 31 clerics from entering the city during Muharram.

DCO Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi said that the city district administration had been sent a request by Lahore police to place travel bans on and gag 56 clerics. The city government notification of the ban lasts until November 5, after which the home secretary is to extend it for a month, officials said.

The city government also banned gatherings of five or more people except for Muharram processions and gatherings.

The sale or playing of audio tapes containing hate speech, any public speech or pronouncement and any posters or banners that espouse hatred of “any sect, community or group/party” are also banned, according to the notification. The public display of weapons, including guns, rods and knives, has also been banned under Section 144.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2013.