The government of Punjab has imposed Section 144 across the province and banned all forms of public gatherings, protests, rallies, processions, and sit-ins for three days.
According to a notice released on Friday, the limits will be in effect from Saturday, November 23 to Monday, November 25. The decision to enforce Section 144 was adopted in response to a Cabinet Committee proposal citing security and public order concerns. The measure is intended to prevent any disruptions as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for its November 24 rally. According to a notification released on Friday, the decision was made on the suggestion of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order.
The PTI, led by jailed founder Imran Khan, has called for nationwide protests against suspected election cheating on February 8, the imprisonment of party workers, and the contentious 26th Constitutional Amendment. The party has declared the November 24 protest a “do-or-die” situation.
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In preparation, the Punjab government has sent Rangers to crucial districts such as Rawalpindi, Attock, and Jhelum to assist local law enforcement. A request for more Rangers was received to the Ministry of Interior earlier this week, and men have already been ordered to deploy in Rawalpindi and Attock beginning today, November 22. Meanwhile, Islamabad has implemented Section 144 for two months, which prohibits gatherings of more than five persons.
The federal capital is preparing for a possibly disruptive demonstration, with plans to block off the city with shipping containers and increased security. Over 10,700 police officers have been placed on standby throughout Punjab in response to the PTI march. This includes 3,500 Punjab Highway Patrol officers, 1,000 from the Special Protection Unit, and 1,200 from the Training Directorate.
In addition, police have been outfitted with tear gas, rubber bullets, and anti-riot equipment. The administration in Islamabad has asked for an additional 8,000 personnel from Punjab, Sindh, and Kashmir. Reinforcements are scheduled to arrive in the federal capital by November 21. The city is still strongly secured, with Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) forces already deployed. Authorities have warned of severe consequences for any attempts to undermine law and order. The Islamabad police have also developed arrest lists for those suspected of inciting unrest.
