Lahore (Web Desk): Ahead of public gatherings announced by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in several districts of the province including Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, and Mianwali.
As per the notifications, the current law and order situation poses a “soft target” for miscreants, creating a serious security risk. The imposition of Section 144 is intended to prevent public unrest, ensuring the safety of lives and property in the districts.
The directives prohibit all forms of public gatherings, including political assemblies, sit-ins, protests and rallies.
On the other hand, the imposition of Section 144 has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC) as the PTI gears up for public rallies in three cities of the province.
The petition, filed by a citizen, stated that the Punjab government imposed Section 144 in order to suppress the PTI supporters from staging protests, which is a constitutional right of every citizen of Pakistan.
The petitioner prayed the court to declare the notification of the Section 144 null and void.