Authorities in Rawalpindi have instituted Section 144 throughout the district for a 30-day period following security warnings concerning key infrastructure and sensitive locations.
The legal provision, which forms part of the Code of Criminal Procedure, grants local administrators the power to prohibit public assemblies, including sit-ins, processions, and rallies, alongside the carrying or open display of arms.
The security measure coincides with the ongoing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, which currently remains situated within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite initial plans to advance towards the federal capital.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister reaffirmed on Saturday his intention to lead the procession towards Islamabad.
An official notification reviewed by Dawn revealed that the District Intelligence Committee (DIC) alerted the Deputy Commissioner during a Saturday meeting regarding an “imminent threat” targeting vital roads, sensitive installations, and public infrastructure.
The committee warned that these hazards could endanger human lives, public assets, and general peace and order across the district. Specific intelligence gathered by the DIC indicated that groups are actively organising to create unrest through massive assemblies, demonstrations, and disruptive crowds.
The committee highlighted risks that these elements could deploy individuals capable of carrying out violent acts against vulnerable targets and critical sites.
Under the executive order issued by Deputy Commissioner retired Captain Nadeem Nasir, assemblies comprising more than five individuals are strictly forbidden. The directive bans the open carrying of firearms, petrol bombs, slingshots (gulails), ball bearings, loaded batons, spikes, improvised explosive devices, or any objects capable of inflicting physical injury.
Additionally, operating unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and attempting to remove or bypass police-erected restrictions aimed at regulating traffic and crowds are prohibited. The order is scheduled to remain active until 8 November.
Similar restrictions under Section 144 are currently operational across multiple regions nationwide.
In Islamabad, an order issued on 18 September established a two-month ban on assemblies of five or more people, rallies, and public demonstrations across all district revenue territories, including the Red Zone. Likewise, Section 144 will remain effective in Lahore through 15 October to counter severe risks to public safety, property, and civil order.
A directive published by the Punjab Home Department restricted all processions, gatherings, and public events involving five or more people on roads and open spaces throughout Lahore.
However, officials specified that these prohibitions do not extend to religious facilities including mosques and other places of worship, funeral prayers, burials, judicial courts, administrative institutions, or wedding ceremonies.
