ISLAMABAD: Rallies and public gatherings have been banned across Punjab and Islamabad after the imposition of Section 144 amid Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call for long march on May 25.
Addressing a press conference, PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar said the that the government, in consensus with all its allies, has collectively decided to impose Section 144 in Punjab immediately
He claimed that the decision was being taken in light of reports that “weapons were being collected with the intention to instigate violence and chaos in the streets”.
He expressed that Imran Khan wants to spread chaos in the country as he is not in the power. “Imran Khan wants to cause anarchy and destroy peace so he has dead bodies to appease his ego,” stated Tarar.
He also said that the PTI was resorting to violence because they did not have the numbers for the march He also expressed dismay over the killing of Constable Kamal Ahmed during a raid by a police team at a residence in Model Town.
Meanwhile, routes and transport towards Islamabad have been closed from Punjab and its surroundings. The new Jhelum bridge on GT Road has been closed for all types of traffic.
Rangers will also be deployed in the province. The government has also decided to deploy over 22,000 police personnel and has sealed the Red Zone to prevent the long march.
Islamabad’s Red Zone
The district administration has imposed Section 144 in the federal capital for two months to avoid any untoward law and order situation besides prohibiting all kinds of gatherings in areas outside the Red Zone within a one-kilometre radius.
A notification prohibits ‘all kinds of gatherings of 5 or more persons, processions/rallies and demonstrations inside the Red Zone’.
More areas outside the Red Zone within a one-kilometre radius have been included in the sensitive security zone by the Islamabad authorities.
Earlier, Sindh government imposed section 144 across the province. All meetings, processions, rallies and public gatherings will be banned across the province.
As per details, violations will be prosecuted under section 144 while it will be enforced across the province for a month. The Sindh Home Department issued a notification regarding the imposition of Section 144.
