The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi for eight days, effectively banning public gatherings as Pakistan gears up to host foreign dignitaries for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for October 15-16 in Islamabad.
Under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, district administrations are empowered to prohibit gatherings of four or more individuals in a specified area for a limited time. This regulation is generally enacted to prevent potential disruptions, uphold law and order, and deter activities that might lead to violence.
In advance of the summit, authorities have deployed more than 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel to secure the arrival of around 900 delegates in Islamabad. To ensure the safety of attendees, the capital will also observe a three-day holiday.
A notification from the Punjab Home Department, dated October 10 and obtained by Dawn.com, outlines the necessity of enforcing Section 144 due to the anticipated arrival of foreign dignitaries. It explicitly bans “all types of political assemblies, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations, protests, and similar activities” from October 10 to 17.
In addition to these restrictions, the notification prohibits activities such as pillion riding on motorcycles, aerial firing, flying pigeons, and the use of drones or laser lights.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court has declared the first three days of the upcoming week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as “closed holidays” for the IHC, as well as civil and session courts.
Furthermore, the provincial government has extended a ban on political assemblies in nine other districts from October 10 to 12, aligning with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s announcement of protests. The PTI plans to kick off its protests in Multan and Sahiwal on Friday, followed by demonstrations in Gujranwala and Sargodha on October 12, Dera Ghazi Khan on 13 October, and Lahore and Faisalabad on 14 October.
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment during the high-profile summit and managing the political tensions arising from the PTI’s planned activities.
