Hours before the PTI is scheduled to hold public rallies across Pakistan in honor of Labor Day, the government has imposed Section 144 in Islamabad and Peshawar.
Section 144 has been imposed for three days in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid security concerns. During these three days, a gathering of five or more people will remain banned.
Last night, Section 144 was also imposed in Islamabad. The Islamabad police warned that indiscriminate legal action will be taken against those who violate the law.
The move is being widely condemned by PTI leaders who have slammed the government for imposing Section 144 ahead of the Labor Day rally which aims to express solidarity with the hardworking laborers of Pakistan.
Read more: On Labor Day, Pakistan needs to rethink its labor laws
“Seems as if the police in Islamabad have only two functions – to target PTI and to harass the vulnerable including aiding Capital Development Authority agenda of destroying katchi abadis and rehriwalas trying to eke out a living. No focus on increasing crime in city and return of terrorists,” Shireen Mazari said.
Seems as if the police in Islamabad have only 2 functions – to target PTI & to harrass the vulnerable incl aiding CDA agenda of destroying katchi abadis & rehriwalas trying to eke out a living. No focus on increasing crime in city & return of terrorists. #مزدور_ریلی_کپتان_کےسنگ pic.twitter.com/ydUrdkYl86
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 1, 2023
“The imposition of Section 144 in Islamabad and Peshawar on May Day is unconstitutional and illegal. The fascist imported regime has left behind even the worst examples of the dictatorial era in fear,” Farrukh Habib said.
یوم مئی مزدوروں کے عالمی دن کے موقع پر اسلام آباد اور پشاور میں دفعہ 144 کا نفاذ غیر آئینی اور غیر قانونی ہے۔ فاشسٹ امپورٹڈ حکومت خوف کے عالم میں آمرانہ دور کی بدترین مثالوں کو بھی پیچھے چھوڑ گئی ہے
— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) May 1, 2023
“Do not go out in favor of labor on Labor Day – the new decree of the labor-killing government. It seems that this imported government has fully lost it. Today, when the whole world holds rallies and processions to show solidarity with its labor community, this fearful government has imposed Article 144. Have the constitution, freedom of political expression, and basic human rights been suspended in this country?” Ali Muhammad Khan said.
یوم مزدور پہ مزدور کے حق میں مت نکلو !
مزدور کش حکومت کا نیا فرمان۔لگتا ہے یہ امپورٹڈحکومت مکمل طور پہ سٹھیا گئ ہے۔ آجکے دن جب پوری دنیا اپنی مزدور برادری کےساتھ اظہار یکجہتی کیلئے جلسے اور جلوس کرتی ہے باہر نکلتی ہے اس خوفزدہ حکومت نے دفعہ 144 لگادیا۔
کیا اس ملک میں آئین…— Ali Muhammad Khan (@Ali_MuhammadPTI) May 1, 2023
The former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday announced rallies in Lahore, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi on Monday (May 1) to commemorate Labour Day and express unity with the Supreme Court.
Speaking during the Haqeeqi Azadi transmission at Zaman Park, Imran said he would lead the rally in Lahore from Liberty to Nasir Bagh, adding Pervez Khattak will lead the rally in Peshawar, while Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar will lead the rally in Rawalpindi.
Read more: Imran Khan pleads the case for labourers worldwide
However, the government has imposed Section 144 in Islamabad and Peshawar where the PTI had planned to hold its Labor Day public rallies. PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz will be holding her own Labor Day rally in Lahore. Interestingly, Section 144 has not been imposed in Lahore.
So there's no section 144 in Model Town, then? No violations of any ECP code of conduct either? Chalo, good 👍🏾 pic.twitter.com/OvxyEzokEH
— Red Wish 👓 🇵🇰 (@RedWishDotCom) May 1, 2023