Islamabad :
Article 144 of the Constitution has been enacted in the Federal Capital Territory of Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh to ban gatherings of more than five persons to deal with any untoward situation before the Long March announced by PTI.
The Federal Capital Territory of Islamabad has banned the gathering of more than five persons in and around the Red Zone for the next two months. And banned protests.
The district administration has said that section 144 has been implemented due to possible protests, rallies and sit-ins. For the next two months, section 144 has been implemented in and around the red zone under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz. A high level meeting was held to review the law and order situation in the province in which it was decided to implement section 144 to maintain law and order situation in the province. Sardar Owais Leghari, Attaullah Tarar, Chief Secretary, The meeting was also attended by Inspector General of Police, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, CCPO Lahore and concerned officials.
The Punjab Home Department said that the Punjab government has enforced Section 144 across the province and gathering of more than four persons has been banned. Violators will be prosecuted. During the meeting, the Punjab Chief Minister said that We will not allow anyone to disturb the daily routine of the people, the rule of law in the province will be ensured at all costs, he said, adding that no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands, without discrimination Action will be taken, law will be enacted against those who take the law into their own hands, police and concerned agencies will take all possible steps to protect the lives and property of the people.
Hamza Shahbaz said that Pakistan’s interest will be given priority over politics. It is time to save Pakistan and we will take every step for Pakistan keeping in view the law and order situation in Sindh. Enforces Article 144 of the Constitution across the province, the Home Department has issued a notification regarding the ban, according to Dawn News. IG Sindh wrote that some political and other elements are planning illegal activities.
Following the letter from IG Sindh, the Sindh Home Department has implemented Section 144 across the province which will continue for 30 days, during which gatherings of more than 5 persons will be banned. In the letter, IG Sindh wrote that Highways can be blocked and sit-ins can be held and this possible situation will affect the lives of ordinary citizens. Referring to the letter written by IG Sindh, the notification said that such political Anti-state elements may try to take advantage of the economic situation.
The Sindh Home Department said that according to this information, some political parties across the province could hold illegal gatherings, sit-ins and demonstrations which could benefit anti-state elements. Article 144 of the Constitution has been enacted in the province to prevent any unforeseen or unavoidable incident during political gatherings and protests or sit-ins.
Gathering of more than 5 persons has been banned by the notification while any gathering or demonstration will also be banned. The notification also said that holding rallies for 30 days will also be banned. He will be bound to take action under section 188. Sindh Home Secretary Dr Saeed Mangarijo has said that steps have been taken to protect the lives and property of the people of Sindh. After the announcement, the government has taken some steps before the situation arises from the long march.
Despite the PML-N’s claim to allow the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to march towards Islamabad on the condition of a peaceful meeting, the government last night cracked down on the houses of PTI leaders. The fears were confirmed last night when police raided the residences of several key party figures, despite assurances that the PTI leaders would not be targeted or arrested before the march to the capital.
On the other hand, the Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the IG Islamabad and the Deputy Commissioner to stop harassment of PTI workers and directed them to ensure that no one will be harassed unnecessarily. And Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders are blaming each other for the murder of a police officer last night. The family members are of the view that when the policemen entered the house by climbing over the walls without uniforms, they felt that robbers had entered the house, so they opened fire in self-defense.
