The Punjab government on Thursday imposed Section 144 across the province. Banning protests, rallies, sit-ins, processions and public gatherings until October 18 over security and law and order concerns.
The notification prohibits assemblies of four or more people, the display of weapons, and restricts loudspeaker use. But with exemptions for the call to prayer (Azan) and Friday sermons.
It also bans the publication and distribution of hate based, inflammatory or sectarian material. Citing the need to maintain public peace, protect lives and property, and prevent gatherings from being exploited by anti-state or extremist elements.
Exemptions apply to wedding ceremonies, funerals and burials, while government officers on duty are not covered by the restrictions.
Moreover, authorities have been directed to run awareness campaigns to inform citizens about enforcement.
Additionally, security officials cautioned that rallies and sit-ins could become soft targets for terrorists or be misused by miscreants.
Similarly, the provincial government urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement and avoid unauthorised gatherings.
| Banned / Prohibited | Exempt / Allowed |
|---|---|
| All protests rallies processions sit-ins public gatherings | Wedding ceremonies |
| Assemblies of 4 or more people in public spaces | Funerals and burials |
| Display of weapons across Punjab | Duties of government officials/personnel |
| Loudspeakers (general use) | Loudspeakers only for Azan Friday sermons |
| Publication/distribution of provocative, hateful, sectarian content | — |
What is section 144?
“Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) empowers district administration to issue orders in public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period of time. Such a ban is enforced by the police who register cases under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code for violations of the ban. Section 188 carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison or fine or both.”
