Punjab Extends Section 144 Across Province Amid Security Concerns

LAHORE: The Punjab government has extended the enforcement of Section 144 across the province for another week, keeping the restrictions in place until November 1.

According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the decision followed a meeting of the Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Law and Order, which reviewed the latest threat assessments shared by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Officials stated that the extension was necessary to prevent potential unrest, sectarian tensions, and unlawful activities, as well as to safeguard public and private property.

Under the order, the ban on public gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, carrying of weapons, use of loudspeakers, and distribution of inflammatory material will remain effective for the next seven days.

The provincial government had first imposed Section 144 on October 8 for ten days and later extended it on October 18 for another week.

Meanwhile, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has approved declaring Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) a proscribed organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The Interior Ministry presented the summary during the cabinet meeting on Punjab’s request, citing TLP’s involvement in violent and terrorist activities across the country. Senior Punjab officials also joined the meeting via video link.

According to the briefing, since its formation in 2016, TLP has been linked to multiple violent protests and incidents that endangered public safety and led to casualties among civilians and security forces.

The cabinet noted that although the previous ban on TLP, imposed in 2021, was lifted after assurances of non-violence, the group failed to honor its commitments — leading to the latest decision to outlaw the organization once again.

Read More:Section 144 imposed across Punjab to maintain law and order

The Punjab government on Saturday imposed Section 144 across the province during Muharram in the light of “potential threats to public tranquility, sectarian harmony and general law and order situation”.

The restriction will be in effect from Saturday, November 23, to Monday, November 25. The decision was recommended during the 18th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order and aims to ensure public safety and maintain peace.