Section 144 imposed in Balochistan

Pillion riding, carrying of weapons banned for two months in the province.

QUETTA:

The Balochistan government imposed section 144 in the province on Wednesday.

A handout issued by the provincial home and tribal affairs department stated that under section 144, pillion riding and carrying of weapons has been banned for 60 days in the province.

The government has also banned rallies in Quetta and gatherings of five or more people in one place.

The ban comes in the wake of increased target killings in Balochistan, mostly carried out by motorcyclists.

Violence this year has surged with Balochistan and human rights activists raising concerns about the increase in target killings in the province. Amnesty International last month called on Pakistan to investigate the alleged torture and killing of more than 40 political leaders and activists in the province.

Hundreds of people have died since Baloch rebels rose up in 2004 demanding political autonomy and a greater share of profits from the region’s wealth of natural oil, gas and mineral resources.