Section 144 imposed in Punjab 

Lahore: The Punjab government on Tuesday imposed Section 144 across the province, GNN reported. 

This was stated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar, while he was addressing the media persons.

The PML-N Deputy Secretary-General stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan wants to spread anarchy in the country.  

He further stated that no one would be allowed to take the law into hands—raisings concerns over the reports that the participants of the long march also had weapons.  

“Imran Khan has drowned the economy along law and order,” he stressed, adding that the people who want to destroy economy are marching with Imran. 

Moreover, the district administration has imposed Section 144 in the federal capital for two months to avoid any untoward law and order situation besides prohibiting all kinds of gatherings in areas outside the Red Zone within a one-kilometre radius.

According to a notification issued by Islamabad’s additional district magistrate Rana Waqas on Tuesday prohibits ‘all kinds of gatherings of 5 or more persons, processions/rallies and demonstrations inside the Red Zone’.

The notification was issued by the Office of the District Magistrate – Islamabad Capital Territory. 

More areas outside the Red Zone within a one-kilometre radius have been included in the sensitive security zone by the Islamabad authorities.

“Area west from the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Murree Road including new Embassy of China, Area South of University Road up to the 4th Avenue, Area South of Khayaban-e-Iqbal from 4th Avenue up to AtaTurk Avenue, Area East of AtaTurk Avenue up to Jinnah Avenue,

Area East of Embassy Road up to Shahrah-e-Suhrawardy, Area North of Shahrah-e-Suhrawardy up to Serena Chowk, Area North of Dhokri Chowk (Convention Centre Chowk on Kashmir Highway) up to the intersection of Murree Road and 3rd Avenue) and areas outside the Red Zone within a 1-kilometre radius from the outer periphery of the Red Zone on all sides,” it added.

Earlier in the day, the Sindh government imposed section 144 across the province-- banning all kinds of meetings, processions, rallies and public gatherings. 

In this regard, the Sindh Home Department issued a notification regarding the imposition of Section 144.

What is section 144? 

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 authorises the Executive Magistrate of any state or territory to issue an order to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in an area. 

According to the law, every member of such 'unlawful assembly' can be booked for engaging in rioting.

Moreover, section 144 also empowers the authorities to block the internet access.