Warns of terror attacks involving suicide bombers, VBIEDs and target killings during large public gatherings
The Punjab government on Sunday imposed Section 144 across the province for five days, citing a “serious and imminent threat” to public peace and the safety of life and property from terrorist organisations and hostile intelligence agencies.
The order came as Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) countrywide protest campaign against the petroleum levy and inflation entered its 29th day, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a mobilisation drive across Punjab, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi scheduled to visit several cities.
Under the order issued by the Home Department of Punjab, assemblies, rallies, gatherings, sit-ins, processions, demonstrations and other public events involving five or more people have been banned across the province with immediate effect.
The order said credible reports received from law enforcement and intelligence agencies had pointed to threats from terrorist organisations and hostile intelligence agencies.
It said multiple threat alerts had been received regarding possible terrorist activities involving suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and target killings during large public gatherings across the province.
According to the order, such attacks could be aimed at creating mayhem, causing social unrest and disrupting public peace and tranquillity.
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The government said assemblies of people, rallies, gatherings, sit-ins, processions, demonstrations and jalsas could become potential targets for terrorist attacks, adding that the possibility of an untoward incident or act of terrorism could not be ruled out during such activities.
It also expressed apprehension that certain elements could organise activities, gatherings or demonstrations that may lead to large assemblies of people, making them vulnerable to hostile activity by terrorists or terrorist organisations.
“Any such incident shall be a breach of public peace, disturbance of the public order, a security risk for the general public and likely cause loss of life, property or critical infrastructure,” the order said.
The home department said the Punjab inspector general of police, Counter-Terrorism Department, special branch and several divisional and district administrations had requested immediate preventive measures to address potential terrorist and hostile activities and enable authorities to maintain law and order across the province.
The order, issued under Section 144(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, also imposed a complete ban on the carrying, display or brandishing of all kinds of weapons at public places.
However, the restrictions on assemblies do not apply to marriage ceremonies, funeral prayers, burial processions and prayers at mosques and churches. Official duties of government and semi-government organisations and proceedings in courts of law have also been exempted.
“Personnel of law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies performing official duties have been exempted from the ban on carrying weapons. Other events may be held with permission from the deputy commissioner of the relevant district under Section 16 of the Punjab Civil Administration Act, 2017,” it said.
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The order also prohibited inciting people to participate in unlawful assemblies, and stated that the order came into force immediately and would remain effective for five days from the date of issuance.
The order came amid heightened political activity in Punjab; the province is also set to witness a mobilisation drive by the PTI ahead of its planned Sept 27 protest and long march. K-P CM Afridi is scheduled to begin his Punjab tour on Sept 13 from Daud Khel and travel through Mianwali, Wan Bachran, Quaidabad, Khushab and Sargodha before proceeding through Lalian and Chiniot to Faisalabad, where he will stay overnight.
The PTI has also accused the government of launching a crackdown against its activists. According to the party, 54 workers from six districts of southern Punjab have been arrested. The list includes three workers from Dera Ghazi Khan, eight from Rajanpur, five from Vehari, 10 from Layyah, 18 from Multan and 10 from Khanewal.
