Punjab imposes Section 144 ahead of PTI’s Nov 24 protest

LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) November 24 protest in Islamabad.

Punjab Home Department has issued a notification, banning protests, gatherings, processions, rallies, sit-ins, and all such activities for three days. The ban will be in effect from November 23 (Saturday) to November 25 (Monday).

The imposition of Section 144 was recommended by the 18th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order. The committee stated that any public gathering can be a soft target for terrorists amid the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The decision was taken to maintain law and order and protection of human lives and property, the notification added.

Earlier, the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema also imposed section 144, effective till November 26, to maintain the law and order situation in Garrison City.

The decision was taken during an intelligence committee meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner while discussing the potential unrest near the Adiala Jail.

All of these strict measures are taken before Imran Khan’s call for the final protest. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced to stage a massive protest march towards Islamabad on November 24.

Protestors from around the country including Punjab will join the protest, which Khan called a final call for demanding the ouster of the incumbent PML-N-led regime.