Karachi imposes section 144 ahead of defense exhibition

KARACHI: Commissioner of Karachi, Syed Hassan Naqvi, enacted section 144 across the city from November 18 till November 24 on Monday.

The move was taken in light of the upcoming 2024 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS).

Read more: Section 144 extended in Islamabad ahead of PTI rally

The temporary measure is aimed at ensuring security and preventing any mishaps during the event, which is expected to draw both, local and international participants.

The official notification specifies that the restrictions will ban all forms of gatherings, protests and rallies.

Under section 144, an assembly of more than five people is also banned within Karachi.

Sindh’s School Education and Literacy Department also announced the closure of all educational institutes in certain areas of Karachi. Schools and colleges situated near Shahrah-e-Faisal and Habib Ibrahim Rehmatullah Road will be closed from November 19 till November 22.

The decision was announced through an official notification form Sindh’s education department.

Section 144 in Islamabad ahead of PTI protest

Meanwhile, section 144 was imposed in the capital as well, but for completely different reasons.

Authorities implemented section 144 for two-month period as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) prepare for protests from November 24.

Under the provision, district administrations can ban assemblies of four or more people for a specific time frame.

Recently, several PTI leaders were detained for ‘breaching’ section 144 but were later released.

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PTI founder, Imran Khan, has reportedly issued a “final call” for nationwide protests on November 24. The former prime minister condemned what he describes as a stolen mandate and unjust arrests.

He called for the involvement of the legal community, civil society and overseas supporters to participate in the protests. Imran Khan called it as a “critical test” for the PTI.