On Friday, the Punjab government implemented Section 144 in Rawalpindi district, banning public gatherings for two days, as PTI urged supporters to meet at Liaquat Bagh.
Section 144, part of the Code of Criminal Procedure, enables local authorities to ban assemblies of four or more people temporarily. This action is intended to prevent disruptions, maintain order, and stop violence before it starts.
At a press conference on Monday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced plans for a rally in Rawalpindi on Saturday. He noted the party had requested a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Punjab government.
However, PTI founder Imran Khan cancelled the rally the previous day, citing fears that the government would not permit the event in the city and would possibly relocate it to a suburban venue.
Instead, Khan declared PTI would hold protests, with lawyers demonstrating outside the Supreme Court.
A notification from the Punjab Home Department, dated September 27 stated concerns that the planned demonstration could attract “miscreants” aiming to engage in “subversive/anti-state activities.”
The order applies Section 144(6) across Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock to “maintain law and order” and “protect the security of people and infrastructure from potential threats.”
This weekend, it prohibits all political activities, including rallies and protests, and bans weapon carrying in these areas.
Read: Lahore High Court Rejects Plea to Ban PTI Lahore Rally on September 21
Read: Lahore Authorities Seal Minar-e-Pakistan Ahead of PTI Rally
In response, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan released a video on X, calling people to gather at Liaquat Bagh on Saturday.
“Join us in large numbers at Liaquat Bagh at 2 pm,” he stated. “Gathering is our legal and constitutional right.”
