Punjab Government Imposes Section 144 Across the Province Amid Security Concerns

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province to maintain law and order, which will prohibit all forms of gatherings, including rallies, protests, and demonstrations.

According to a tweet from the Punjab Home Department on social media platform ‘X’, the decision to enforce Section 144 was made to ensure the safety and security of public life and property. The ban, effective from Saturday, February 8, includes all political protests, gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, and similar activities.

The Home Department clarified that the enforcement of Section 144 aims to prevent any threats to public order and protect citizens from potential security risks. It highlighted that public gatherings and sit-ins could serve as soft targets for terrorists, while anti-state elements might exploit such protests for their ulterior motives.

The decision to impose Section 144 was made based on the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee for Law and Order and the Provincial Intelligence Committee.

This move comes at a time when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had called for a nationwide day of protest on February 8. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, Syed Musa Rizvi, had refused to grant permission for PTI to hold a political rally at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Furthermore, the request for an NOC (No Objection Certificate) submitted by PTI’s Punjab Chief Organizer, Aaliya Hamza Malik, and Ali Ijaz Bhatti from NA 117 Lahore for holding a political gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan in July 2025 was also denied.