Punjab govt extends section 144 till November 01

LAHORE: The Punjab government has extended the province-wide enforcement of Section 144  for a week, until November 1.

The move was made after a meeting of the Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Law and Order examined the most recent threat estimates presented by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as per a notification from the Home Department.

The committee felt the need to keep the restrictions in place to avoid possible disturbances, sectarian unrest, or illegal activities, and to maintain the safety of the citizens, along with safeguarding public and private property.

Following these suggestions, the Home Department prolonged the enforcement of Section 144 for another seven days.

The order directs a prohibition on public meetings, processions, sit-ins, carrying weapons, the use of loudspeakers, and the distribution of inflammatory material.

It should be pointed out that the prohibition had been first ordered on October 8 for ten days and subsequently extended by another week on October 18.

Previously, the federal cabinet, which was presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had unanimously approved declaring Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) a proscribed organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act, as per the official release issued after the cabinet meeting.

The Interior Ministry laid out a report in the cabinet meeting on the request of the Punjab government, outlining TLP’s involvement in terrorism and violent activities throughout the country. Top Punjab government officials also joined the meeting through video link, the statement added.

The briefing emphasized the fact that since its establishment in 2016, TLP has engaged in mass violent protests, incitement, and terror activities across much of Pakistan. The cabinet was briefed that the activities of the group had endangered public security, disrupted order, and resulted in the deaths of security officials and civilians in previous protests.

The announcement reminded that TLP was once banned in 2021 by the previous government, but the ban was revoked six months later under the condition that the group would avoid violence and unrest. The cabinet, however, reported that TLP had defied those guarantees, which led to the new decision.