Islamabad bans public gatherings under Section 144

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad district administration prohibited on Saturday all public gatherings in the federal capital under Section 144, warning of strict legal action against violators as a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march advances towards the city.

In a statement, the administration said Section 144 was in force across Islamabad and that gatherings of any kind were not permitted. It added that public assemblies were also prohibited under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024.

The administration warned that violations of the law would invite strict action, adding that the act provides for imprisonment of up to three years.

It urged citizens to refrain from participating in illegal activities and cooperate with security agencies.

PTI march heads towards Mardan

The restrictions come as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi leads a PTI long march towards Islamabad to press the federal government to release former prime minister Imran Khan, who is in jail.

The march began on October 5 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power. It has made stops at several locations. The convoy is scheduled to leave Charsadda for Mardan on Saturday, with participants expected to stay overnight in the city, KP Information Minister Shafi Jan said.

Jan said the march was proceeding peacefully and that large numbers of people and PTI workers from Charsadda, Mardan and other areas were expected to join the convoy during the day.

The PTI has accused the federal government of restricting Khan’s access to his lawyers and family members. The government denies the allegations.

Leadership to discuss situation

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a key meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday to discuss the country’s overall situation, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal ministers expected to attend, sources said.

The federal government is considering possible constitutional measures concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the imposition of an emergency or governor’s rule, amid tensions with the PTI-led provincial government.

Earlier reports suggested that an emergency could be imposed in 12 KP districts, including all merged districts of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The proposals were reportedly being considered amid security concerns and questions over the provincial government’s handling of counterterrorism.

However, no official announcement has confirmed that an emergency or governor’s rule will be imposed.

Shehbaz contacts Fazl

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and invited him to the Prime Minister’s House for a meeting, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The statement said Fazlur Rehman had accepted the invitation and that the meeting was expected to take place soon. The two leaders also discussed ways to ease tensions between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments.