Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of PTI protest

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government strictly declared Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Rawalpindi Division for the protest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The move has come after the former Prime Minister Imran Khan said PTI will stage a protest as it had not got a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a rally.

Notification issued by the Punjab Home Department prohibits all the political gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, and similar activities. PTI had planned to hold a rally today, which is now being termed as a demonstration after the party had withdrawn its application for NOC from the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench.

In the past few weeks, PTI has been able to pull off two rallies in Islamabad and Lahore with stringent conditions. Their last rally in Lahore on 21 September was forced to close when police intervened and shut down the gathering because city officials called them off early due to time constraints.

Anticipating the unrest, City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani suspended leave for police officers and directed all personnel to remain on duty. The district administration has also requested the Federal Ministry of Interior to deploy four companies of Rangers in Rawalpindi and Attock.

The authorities have cordoned Liaquat Bagh and have blocked all key roads leading to the venue: Faizabad, Shamsabad, and Chandni Chowk. Metro bus service has been suspended and all routes connecting Faizabad to Murree Road had been blocked with containers.

While the Islamabad Expressway and the Faizabad flyover remain open, police security has been increased in the vicinity of the High Security Zone, where some key government offices and embassies are located. Senior police officers have emphasized the need for high security and to ensure no breach.

While calling up the party supporters to move out onto the streets and protest irrespective of this situation, Imran Khan said that the party will continue “at all costs”. He highlighted that the government inappropriately handled public gatherings, stressing that it is time the nation must rise for the country’s future.

Meanwhile, northern Punjab PTI officials and lawmakers have been directed to come to Rawalpindi with party workers. Arrangements are being made, and tasks have been assigned to ten districts; police are also keeping a check on hotels and inns all across the city.