Section 144 imposed in Punjab

The Punjab government on Friday imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the province ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) rallies against the alleged vote rigging in the general elections of Feb 8, 2024.

Section 144 empowers district administrations to issue orders in public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period of time. Such a ban is enforced by the police who register cases under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code for violations of the ban.

According to a notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, there will be a complete ban on any political protests, processions, rallies and sit-ins across the province on Saturday (February 8). 

The notification says that Section 144 has been imposed in the province to maintain the law and order and save human lives and properties. Keeping in view the prevailing security threats, it says, public gatherings and sit-ins can be the soft target of terrorists. Militants can use such a situation to achieve their ulterior motives. 

The notification says the decision to impose Section 144 was taken on the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee for Law and Order and the Provincial Intelligence Committee.