The Punjab government has enacted Section 144 in six districts due to threats of terrorism, and mobile phone and internet services have been suspended in Mianwali.
The enforcement of Section 144 will apply to Mianwali, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, and Chiniot. In Mianwali, the restrictions will remain in place from October 1 to October 7, while in the other five districts, they will be enforced for two days over a five-day period.
The Punjab Home Department has issued a notification regarding this decision. According to the notification, the enforcement of Section 144 prohibits political gatherings and protests as a precaution against potential terrorist risks.
The imposition of Section 144 in these districts is based on recommendations from local administrations, as public gatherings could be vulnerable targets for terrorist attacks. The notification from the Punjab Home Department confirmed that all forms of political gatherings, including sit-ins, rallies, and protests, are banned during this time.
To ensure public safety, two companies of Rangers have been deployed in Mianwali from October 1 to October 3.
Challenge to Section 144 in Punjab
The decision to impose Section 144 in Punjab has been challenged in the Lahore High Court.
A citizen named Najeebullah filed a miscellaneous petition against the enforcement of Section 144, arguing that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans for protests in various cities across Punjab.
The petition contends that the government’s imposition of Section 144 infringes on citizens’ constitutional right to protest, asserting that the enforcement is specifically aimed at preventing PTI’s demonstrations.
The petition requests the court to nullify the notification regarding the imposition of Section 144 in Punjab.
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