ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Punjab province on Tuesday banned public gatherings for 10 days, citing intelligence warnings of possible militant attacks, as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan continued a protest march toward Islamabad.
The order prohibits gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, processions and demonstrations of five or more people in public places across Punjab, as well as carrying or displaying weapons and inciting participation in prohibited assemblies.
As per a notification issued by the Punjab Home Department on Oct 6, the restrictions will remain in force for 10 days.
The ban on gatherings is not applicable to marriage ceremonies, funeral prayers, burial gatherings and prayers in mosques and churches, official duties of government or semi-government organisations, courts of law and other events permitted by the deputy commissioner concerned under Section 16 of the Punjab Civil Administration Act, 2017.
The Punjab government said, however, the restrictions were imposed as law enforcement and intelligence agencies had reported a “serious and imminent threat” to public peace and safety from militant groups and “hostile intelligence agencies.”
The decision comes a day after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march reached Kohat.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is leading the convoy, which began its march towards capital on Sunday to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan.
After negotiations with government ended without agreement, PTI launched the march, including over access to Khan and differences on counterterrorism policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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