Karachi and Punjab impose Section 144, banning public gatherings amid security concerns.
In a significant move to maintain law and order, the Karachi and Punjab administrations have imposed Section 144, effectively banning all public gatherings and rallies for two days.
The Karachi administration, as per a report by ARY News, imposed Section 144 on October 18 and 19, restricting gatherings of five or more people, processions, and public meetings.
This decisive step is aimed at ensuring public safety in the wake of heightened security concerns across the city.
Public gatherings have been flagged as potential soft targets for terrorist attacks, leading to this precautionary measure.
Punjab Follows Suit with Statewide Restrictions
Alongside Karachi, the Punjab government has also enforced Section 144 across the entire province starting October 18.
According to a notification from the Punjab Home Department, all forms of public protests, rallies, and processions are banned during this period.
The decision is driven by concerns that such events could become vulnerable to security threats, prompting the need for strict law enforcement.
Prior Section 144 Enforcement
This is not the first time Karachi and Punjab have taken such measures. Earlier, Karachi had imposed Section 144 for four days from October 13, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit held on October 15-16.
Similarly, Punjab previously imposed the ban in five districts, including Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, to prevent potential unrest during a period of heightened risk.
By imposing these restrictions, both governments are focused on maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of the public amid ongoing security challenges.
