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Saturday, October 5, 2024

Punjab Imposes Section 144 in Rawalpindi as PTI Gears Up for Protest

Khan, speaking from Adiala Jail, urged citizens, particularly the youth, to take to the streets, declaring that the protest will go ahead "at any cost," regardless of whether an NOC is granted.

The Punjab government has invoked Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) across the Rawalpindi Division for two days in anticipation of a protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as reported by The News on Saturday.

This order, issued by the Punjab Home Department, prohibits political gatherings, rallies, protests, and similar activities. PTI had initially planned a rally in Rawalpindi, which was later modified into a demonstration, as announced by party founder Imran Khan on Friday.

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The PTI also withdrew its application for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench. The party has been seeking permission for public gatherings for months, holding two rallies in Islamabad and Lahore under strict conditions recently. In Lahore, a September 21 rally ended abruptly after police shut down the stage due to the event exceeding the city-imposed deadline.

Following that, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced rallies in Mianwali and Rawalpindi. An application was submitted to Rawalpindi’s deputy commissioner for permission to hold the event at Liaquat Bagh or Bhatta Chowk.

In preparation for the protests, City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani cancelled police officers’ leave, instructing all personnel to remain on duty. A request was also made to the Federal Ministry of Interior for Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi and Attock, with four companies expected to be stationed.

Key areas, including Liaquat Bagh, Faizabad, and several other major intersections, have been sealed off. The metro bus service has been suspended, and roads leading to Rawalpindi from Faizabad have been closed. While the Islamabad Expressway and Faizabad flyover remain open, security has been tightened around the High-Security Zone, as high-profile court cases are ongoing.

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Section 144 will also be enforced in the districts of Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal, with additional forces deployed to prevent unrest, especially in response to planned movements by PTI lawyers. Police have been instructed to maintain strict security, particularly around government offices, courts, and embassies.

Despite these restrictions, Khan, speaking from Adiala Jail, urged citizens, particularly the youth, to take to the streets, declaring that the protest will go ahead “at any cost,” regardless of whether an NOC is granted. PTI has also announced demonstrations in Islamabad and at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan.

Party officials and workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Northern Punjab have been instructed to gather in Rawalpindi, while police are monitoring hotels and inns to ensure security during the protest.