Restrictions have been imposed under Section 144 in Pakistan’s Karachi ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit which is scheduled to be held in the city on October 15, 16. According to media reports, the Karachi administration has enforced Section 144 across the city for four days, starting October 13 till October 17, “to ensure public safety and maintain law and order”.
As per an official notification, all gathering of five or more people, processions, and public meetings during this period are prohibited during this period, ARY News reported.
The decision comes after a recommendation from Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon, who cited potential threats to peace as the primary reason for the restriction.
As per the ARY News report, the IGP wrote a letter to the Karachi administration, warning of protests and rallies which could disrupt peace during SCO summit. In his letter the IGP noted that protest gathering could pose serious security risks, apart from causing inconvenience to citizens.
The ban on public gatherings is meant to protect the general public and maintain peace in the city during this period, the notification said.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Home Ministry has also imposed Section 144 in five districts of Punjab for three days. These districts–Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzzafargarh, Rajanpur, and Kot Addu–will see a ban on all political gatherings, sit-ins, and rallies until October 15.
The provincial government, citing security concerns, issued the restriction to prevent large gatherings from becoming potential targets for miscreants. The government’s focus is on ensuring public safety during the period when the risk of unrest is heightened.
This series of restrictions coincides with an announcement by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which has scheduled a protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on October 15. The timing of this demonstration is significant, as it will coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, ARY News reported.
The presence of international leaders at the summit has raised concerns about security, with authorities seeking to minimise the risk of disruption caused by large-scale protests during the high-profile event.
(With ANI inputs)
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