Public gatherings banned in Rawalpindi as Section 144 imposed

RAWALPINDI: Section 144, which prohibits all public gatherings, processions, and rallies, was imposed in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

The Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Hassan Waqar Cheema, cited the prevailing law and order situation in the city as the reason for imposing Section 144, in a notification.

The notification stated that the ban will last until November 10, and that displaying weapons will be completely prohibited.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had planned a rally on November 9 in Swabi, leading to heightened security measures at Rawalpindi’s exit and entry points. Over a thousand officers have also been assigned to Rawalpindi’s Regional Police Office (RPO).

Other media sources have also reported that the ban is due in part to the worsening smog situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had previously sent a letter to the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner advocating for preventive measures to combat the smog.

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