Punjab govt imposes Section 144 across province till October 18

Lahore (Web Desk): The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province, prohibiting all forms of protests, rallies, processions, sit-ins, and public gatherings.

The ban will remain in effect until Saturday, October 18.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, under Section 144, public assemblies of four or more people have been completely banned.

In addition, the display of weapons and the use of loudspeakers have been strictly prohibited. Loudspeakers may only be used for the call to prayer (Azaan) and Friday sermons.

The home department spokesperson further stated that the dissemination or publication of inflammatory, hateful, or sectarian material is also banned.

However, the restrictions do not apply to wedding ceremonies, funerals, or burial gatherings. Government officials and personnel performing their official duties are exempt from this order.

The Home Department explained that these measures have been implemented in view of potential terrorism threats and public safety concerns to ensure the protection of lives and property.

The spokesperson noted that public demonstrations and sit-ins could serve as soft targets for terrorists, while disruptive elements might exploit such gatherings to engage in anti-state activities.

The department has also directed that the imposition of Section 144 be widely publicized to ensure public awareness of the restrictions and their significance for maintaining peace and security in the province.