Maps
Magazine

POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

Punjab Government Imposes Section 144 in Major Districts Ahead of PTI Rallies
The Punjab govt imposes Section 144 in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, and Mianwali, banning gatherings as PTI plans protests against Imran Khan's imprisonment. PTI urges supporters to join despite restrictions.
ND
by News Desk
2024-10-01
Punjab Government Imposes Section 144 in Major Districts Ahead of PTI Rallies

The Punjab government imposed Section 144(6) in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, and Mianwali on Tuesday, prohibiting all forms of public gatherings as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party prepares for a series of rallies in southern Punjab. This measure comes as PTI ramps up its protests against what it deems the “illegal” imprisonment of its founder, Imran Khan, as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) delay in implementing a Supreme Court verdict regarding reserved seats.

 

PTI has held multiple rallies nationwide, advocating for judicial independence and protesting against perceived injustices. However, each rally has been met with strict governmental guidelines, often resulting in clashes between PTI supporters and law enforcement agencies.

 

Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, issued a fresh call for nationwide protests on Monday, emphasizing the need for judicial independence. He specifically highlighted a planned demonstration in Islamabad, despite ongoing bans on such gatherings. According to announcements from PTI leaders, protests are scheduled for Mianwali, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur tomorrow, with Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram encouraging supporters to participate actively.

 

Despite these calls, the Punjab interior ministry cited security concerns in its notifications, stating that PTI’s planned rallies could be exploited by “terrorists” to execute subversive activities, referencing multiple threat alerts. As a result, the notifications detail that Section 144 has been implemented to maintain public peace and ensure the safety of citizens. In Faisalabad and Bahawalpur, the restrictions will last for two days, while in Mianwali, they will remain in effect for seven days.

 

The government’s actions have been met with significant backlash, as PTI rallies have faced interference from law enforcement under the guise of maintaining public order. Last month, ten PTI MNAs were arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the newly enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 after a PTI gathering in Sangjani.

 

Recent PTI events have also ended in chaos, as evidenced by a power show in Lahore that abruptly ended when police cleared the stage following a strict 6pm deadline, cutting short speeches from PTI leaders. Similarly, Rawalpindi witnessed heightened security, with containers blocking access to a planned PTI protest site in Liaquat Bagh, resulting in over 110 arrests and the use of teargas to disperse crowds.

 

The government's strict measures reflect ongoing tensions in the region, as PTI continues to challenge the political status quo while advocating for the rights of its imprisoned leader and the broader demand for judicial independence.

 
Tagged:

ImranKhan

PunjabGovernment

JudicialIndependence

Section144

PoliticalProtests

PTIRallies
Share News: