The Punjab government has swiftly enacted Section 144 in five districts due to security concerns. An official notification from the Home Department states that this ban will be in effect for three days, from Saturday, October 12, to Monday, October 14.
The districts affected by this order are Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, and Kot Addu. During this period, all forms of political gatherings, sit-ins, meetings, and protests are strictly forbidden. This action aims to maintain law and order and protect public property in light of potential security threats.
The decision to impose Section 144 was influenced by requests from local district administrations, which voiced concerns that public gatherings could be vulnerable targets for terrorist activities. The Home Department has issued a formal notification to ensure compliance with these emergency measures.
Authorities are urging citizens to cooperate during this period to promote public safety and prevent any incidents.
This recent measure follows the implementation of Section 144 in Lahore and Sargodha last week, where additional security forces, including three companies of Rangers, were deployed to ensure order. In Lahore, the ban was initially enforced from October 3 to 8, while Sargodha experienced a similar prohibition from October 4 to 6.