Punjab Government Bans Gatherings in Rawalpindi and Surrounding Districts
LAHORE / RAWALPINDI: In a bid to prevent PTI’s protest scheduled for today, the Punjab government has imposed a ban on all public gatherings and deployed paramilitary forces throughout Rawalpindi.
The party has designated Liaquat Bagh as the protest venue, initially planned as a larger rally. However, the PTI founder shifted this strategy, asserting that the government would not permit the event to take place within the city limits.
In a video message on Friday, PTI Punjab acting president Hammad Azhar announced a “massive but peaceful political gathering” set for 2 PM. He encouraged supporters to arrive early, recalling that their previous gathering in Lahore was forcibly dispersed by police for exceeding the allotted time.
Despite the restrictions, PTI leaders are determined to gather at the venue “despite all hurdles.” However, authorities are prepared to enforce significant measures to restrict access. A senior police official confirmed that Rawalpindi Police, Rangers, and Punjab Constabulary plan to effectively “lay siege” to the city, blocking all traffic with containers and barbed wire.
“Extraordinary security measures are in place to ensure peace, and no protests will be permitted,” stated a top police official.
Section 144 Imposed
On Friday, the deputy commissioners of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock districts requested the Punjab Home Department to ban gatherings in their areas. This request was swiftly approved, resulting in the imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, which prohibits all forms of gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations, and the display of weapons.
The four deputy commissioners voiced concerns that miscreants might exploit PTI’s protest to engage in “subversive or anti-state activities.”
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema stated that local administration and police are coordinating to maintain law and order. Six companies of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) have been deployed in Rawalpindi and Attock at the request of local authorities and will remain until Sunday.
Despite the heightened security, PTI leaders maintain their commitment to gather. In a video message, PTI Lahore president Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood assured that supporters from the provincial capital would travel to Liaqat Bagh to advocate for the independence of the judiciary. He emphasized that PTI will continue its efforts until the law and Constitution are upheld.
