In a significant move aimed at maintaining public order and preventing potential unrest, the Punjab government imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi district and its surrounding areas on Friday, effectively banning all public gatherings for two days.
This decision came in response to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s call for a mass rally at Liaquat Bagh, raising concerns over security and the potential for disorder.
The government’s decision is part of a broader strategy to safeguard key installations and prevent any attempts at “subversive and anti-state activities,” according to an official notification from the Punjab Home Department.
With heightened security measures and restrictions in place, authorities are prepared to manage the potential fallout from the political tensions gripping the region.
Government Cites Security Concerns, Imposes Section 144
The Punjab Home Department’s notification, issued on September 27, cited the potential for disruption as the primary reason for imposing Section 144 in the district.
It mentioned that “miscreants” and “mischief-mongers” could exploit the rally at Liaquat Bagh to conduct subversive activities and promote their “nefarious designs.”
To prevent any untoward incidents, the government extended these restrictions to the districts of Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock, where similar gatherings could pose a threat to public safety and critical infrastructure.
Under the restrictions, political assemblies, protests, rallies, and sit-ins have been banned for the weekend, and the carrying of weapons has been strictly prohibited in all four districts.
The decision reflects the growing unease surrounding PTI’s planned protests, especially given the abrupt shutdown of a PTI rally in Lahore earlier this year, which ended after a 6 pm deadline imposed by the police.
Despite the legal prohibitions, PTI leaders remain undeterred, with the party’s leadership continuing to call on supporters to assemble for the Rawalpindi rally.
Opposition Leader Defies Ban, Urges Supporters to Gather
In response to the government’s move, Omar Ayub Khan, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and a senior PTI figure, released a video message urging his party’s supporters to defy the ban and gather at Liaquat Bagh on Saturday. Ayub framed the gathering as a constitutional right, despite the legal restrictions imposed by Section 144.
“I call upon all of you to join us at 2 p.m. at Liaquat Bagh. This is our legal and constitutional right,” Ayub said in his message, rallying supporters to stand firm against what he described as an infringement on democratic freedoms.
This defiant stance has further escalated tensions between PTI and the government, with both sides standing firm. PTI’s leadership views the gathering as a legitimate form of protest and political expression, while the government has framed it as a potential flashpoint for violence and disruption. As a result, security measures in the region have been ramped up in anticipation of the gathering.
Security Measures Tightened, Heavy Deployment in Rawalpindi
The Rawalpindi police, in coordination with the provincial government, have rolled out an extensive security plan to prevent any disruption and maintain law and order. According to police sources, a total of 34 security pickets have been established at major roads and junctions throughout the city, including high-traffic areas such as Central Jail Adiala, Murree Road, Faizabad, and Peshawar Road.
The deployment of additional forces includes six companies of Rangers, with four stationed in Rawalpindi and two in Attock, who will assist local police in maintaining peace. Command and control of the entire operation will be overseen by City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani, ensuring that security protocols are followed effectively.
To further control movement, containers have been strategically placed to block key routes, and additional forces have been deployed around sensitive locations, including Murree Road and Liaquat Bagh. The area surrounding Central Jail Adiala has seen heightened security measures, with police pickets and barriers sealing off entry points to the jail and surrounding roads.
Additional security checkpoints have been established across the city’s divisions. In the Rawal Division, nine checkpoints have been set up in key locations, including Faizabad, Liaquat Bagh, and Committee Chowk.
The Potohar Division has 14 security pickets, with heavy police presence at MH Chowk, Shalimar Chowk, and T&T Chowk. Meanwhile, the Saddar Division has 11 checkpoints, including Central Jail Adiala, Biscuit Factory Chowk, and Mandra Toll Plaza.
Police forces are also working in collaboration with elite anti-riot units, with five anti-riot sections on standby to manage any potential clashes. In addition, a team of 20 female police officers, led by the Women’s SHO, has been placed on standby to handle any specific security needs.
The security measures are designed to provide round-the-clock vigilance, with patrol teams deployed within each police station’s jurisdiction.
Supervision across the divisions will be handled by divisional SPs, while SSP Operations will oversee district-wide management. The entire operation will be commanded by CPO Khalid Hamdani.
As political tensions rise in Pakistan, the Punjab government’s decision to impose Section 144 in Rawalpindi and nearby districts underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public order and protecting democratic freedoms.
While the PTI leadership views the rally at Liaquat Bagh as a fundamental right, the government’s concerns about potential subversion and violence have prompted stringent security measures.
With the situation rapidly evolving, the coming days will likely be a test of both the government’s resolve to maintain order and the PTI’s ability to mobilize its supporters in defiance of legal restrictions.
The heavy police presence and the deployment of Rangers signal the seriousness with which authorities are approaching the situation, setting the stage for a potentially tense weekend in Rawalpindi.
