Punjab govt extends Section 144 across province for another seven days

LAHORE: The Punjab government has extended the enforcement of Section 144 across the province for an additional seven days, following growing security concerns.

The provincial home department has issued a notification, stating that the ban will remain in place until November 22.

Under the directive, all forms of public gatherings, including protests, rallies, processions, and sit-ins, are prohibited. Section 144, which restricts the gathering of four or more people at public places, remains strictly enforced across the province.

In addition to public assemblies, the extended ban also includes a prohibition on the display of weapons, the distribution of inflammatory, hateful, or sectarian materials, and the use of loudspeakers – except for the calls to prayer and Friday sermons.

However, the ban does not apply to private events such as weddings, funerals, and burials, nor to government officials and courts performing their duties.

The Punjab Home Department emphasized that this decision was made to maintain law and order, safeguard public lives, and protect property.

Officials have expressed concerns that public gatherings could be exploited by militants and anti-state elements, using such events to target civilians or promote unrest.