Section 144 reimposed in Islamabad before PTI Long March
A day before the PTI’s long march enters the federal capital, the District Administration of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on Thursday reinstituted Section 144 enforcement in the city for a period of two months, with immediate effect.
The PTI continues to assert that its Islamabad display of power will bring the largest throng in nation history, therefore the measure appears to be part of the state’s attempt to protect the seat of government from any potential disruption.
Invoking Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the Additional District Magistrate ICT forbade any sort of gatherings with five people or more, processions, and rallies in any public space inside the boundaries of district Islamabad, including the Red Zone, according to an official notification.
Shibli Faraz, a prominent PTI leader, charged the coalition government on Thursday with putting obstacles in the way of the party’s gathering on November 26 in Rawalpindi.
The PTI senator claimed that the government had unfairly attached 37 conditions to the PTI’s public meeting. Shibli Faraz rejected the requirements and questioned, “Does the constitution not permit the PTI to have a rally?”
However, DC Rawalpindi stated that the final choice for the alternate location for the PTI protest march had not yet been made. He stated, “So far no permission has been obtained yet for the demonstration and sit-in,” adding that the authorization letter will specify the site.
Section 144 reimposed in Islamabad before PTI Long March
The official disclosed that it is quite likely that the PTI will be permitted to hold a protest close to Allama Iqbal Park.
