Authorities have reinstated Section 144 in Islamabad, banning gatherings of five or more people for the next two months. This decision, detailed in an official notification, comes in anticipation of a planned protest by PTI in the capital.
The order, issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, prohibits all gatherings, including religious, political, and public meetings, to maintain public order.
Section 144 enforced in Islamabad#kpknews #BreakingNews #Pakistan #Islamabad #imrankhan #pti pic.twitter.com/5KWRqD1V3N
— KPK News (@KPKNewsKP) November 18, 2024
This reinstatement follows the recent expiration of Section 144 on November 17. It was initially imposed to mitigate air pollution during the capital’s ongoing smog crisis.
PTI has outlined its plans for a “peaceful” protest on November 24, intending to converge on Islamabad from multiple directions. The party’s leadership in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has been tasked with significant roles in this mobilization. Each provincial convoy has been assigned specific routes to the capital, though the final sit-in location in Islamabad remains undecided.
PTI has indicated that the protest may be prolonged, and core committee members have suggested D-Chowk as a potential site for the sit-in.
With PTI's Nov 24 protest approaching, Islamabad braces for heavy security measures. 400 containers to block entry points, and Section 144 imposed to curb gatherings. Tensions rise. #PTIProtest #Islamabad pic.twitter.com/BXWyh33W6y
— Eye on Pakistan (@eyeonpakistan_) November 18, 2024
Read: PTI Mobilizes for Islamabad Protest on November 24
On the eve of the protest, PTI issued critical instructions to its supporters, as mandated by Imran Khan. PTI’s leadership is calling for supporters to join in large convoys, and the party’s social media team is urging detailed video footage of both the vehicles and accompanying individuals.