Punjab extends Section 144 across province for seven more days

The Punjab Home Department has extended the implementation of Section 144 across the province for seven more days, reported 24News HD.

Under the extension, all forms of protests, rallies, processions, dharnas, and public gatherings remain banned. Section 144 prohibits four or more people from gathering at one place.

Authorities have imposed a complete ban on the display of all kinds of weapons throughout Punjab. 

The use of loudspeakers under Section 144 is also completely prohibited, except for calls to prayer (Azan) and Friday sermons.

The publication or distribution of inflammatory, hate-promoting, or sectarian material has been strictly banned.

Officials said the decision to extend Section 144 has been taken to maintain law and order and protect human lives, considering terrorism and public security threats.

The restrictions do not apply to wedding ceremonies, funerals, and burials. Officers and personnel performing official duties, as well as courts, are exempted from the ban.

The Home Department emphasized that public processions and dharnas could be soft targets for terrorists, and large-scale awareness campaigns have been ordered to inform citizens about the continued enforcement of Section 144.

The notification for the extension will remain in effect until November 8, 2025.

Reporter: Qaisar Khokhar