Punjab Home Department on Saturday extended Section 144 across the province till October 24, 2024, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The Punjab Home Department also issued a notification for the extension of Section 144 in the province. As per the notification, a complete ban is imposed on public rallies, gatherings, sit-ins, and any other political activity.
As per Section 144, four persons and more will not be allowed to gather at public places.
A complete ban is also imposed on the display of weapons and the use of loudspeakers. There is a complete ban on the publication and distribution of inflammatory, hateful, or sectarian material throughout Punjab.
The Punjab government extended Section 144 for the security and protection of the people. A Cabinet Committee on Law and Order recommended the extension of Section 144 in the province due to terrorism threats and the law and order situation.
The ban is not imposed on marriage ceremonies and funeral prayers. All government servants who will perform their duty in courts and other places will be exempted from this ban.
Loudspeakers can only be used for the call to prayer and Friday sermons. Public processions and sit-ins can be soft targets for terrorists due to security threats.
Malicious elements can easily take advantage of public protests to carry out anti-state activities to fulfill their nefarious intentions.
Reporter: Qaisar Khokhar