Rawalpindi administration imposes Section 144

RAWALPINDI: The district administration on Monday imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi, stating various groups might disturb the law and order in the district, as the PTI is going to organize countrywide protests to press for the release of Imran Khan, the incarcerated party founder.

The PTI has chosen August 5 as a day to protest, and the imposition of Section 144 will continue until August 10. It is the reason why the notification states there would be a blanket ban on rallies, sit-ins, public gatherings, and processions.

Simultaneously, the use of loudspeakers has also been prohibited during this week-long period, and the violence-inciting speeches have also been banned under Section 144.

Meanwhile, PTI is paying the price for the May 9 violent protests. The anti-terrorism courts have now expedited the process of hearing the cases, and several party leaders and workers have been convicted for their participation in attacks on sensitive installations and other government offices in Mianwali, Faisalabad, and Lahore.

Rawalpindi is a sensitive city for more than one reason. It has the GHQ  the headquarters of the Pakistan Army, and other strategic military facilities. And yet, it shares its border with Islamabad, which is the federal capital.

GHQ had seen a terrorist attack earlier on October 10, 2009. And 13 years down the line, it was attacked again on May 9, 2023.

Independently, the Balochistan government on August 1 had issued a notification imposing Section 144 for 15 days, as the province is facing terrorist activities of India-sponsored groups.