Punjab imposes Section 144 across province amid PTI protest

Following the call of protest from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Punjab government has tightened security and imposed Section 144 across the province for a week.

The decision was taken by the Home Department after PTI’s call for a nationwide protest, set to begin at 2pm today (Friday) against alleged rigging in Feb 8 elections.

As per the order, Section 144 will remain enforced from June 21 to June 27.

It added that the decision to enforce ban was taken to maintain a law and order situation in the province amidst security threats.

The order expressed fears that terrorists and miscreants could target any public gathering during this period.

The home ministry said any incident could lead the province towards a rupture of law and order situation.

Moreover, the order stated that all kinds of public gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, processions, protests, meetings, and other activities would prohibited in Punjab.

Speaking in the Lower House, Leader of Opposition Omar Ayub Khan condemned the imposition of section 144 and asked the deputy speaker, Ghulam Mustafa Shah, to rule out the ban as it was a constitutional violation.