Islamabad has banned public gatherings, rallies and demonstrations for two months as authorities step up security ahead of the PTI’s planned September 27 protest.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad administration has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure across the federal capital ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned September 27 protest, prohibiting gatherings, rallies, processions and demonstrations.
The order was issued by Additional District Magistrate Dr Anam Fatima on September 18 and will remain in force for two months. The administration said the restrictions followed reports that certain groups were planning assemblies, processions and demonstrations within the Islamabad Capital Territory.
According to the order, authorities cited concerns relating to public peace and security, saying planned activities could cause public inconvenience, endanger lives and property and potentially lead to riots or clashes.
The order prohibits gatherings of five or more people at public places within Islamabad’s revenue limits, including the Red Zone.
Administration Warns of Legal Action
The Islamabad administration has reminded residents that Section 144 remains in force and that gatherings and assemblies are prohibited in the capital.
Authorities have also referred to restrictions under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024, warning that violations will attract legal action. The administration has urged citizens to avoid unlawful activities and cooperate with security institutions.
The restrictions come ahead of the PTI’s planned September 27 long march and protest, which the party has announced in Islamabad. The Kissan Ittehad has also announced a separate long march and sit-in in the capital.
More Than 43,000 Personnel Planned in Rawalpindi Division
Security preparations have intensified across Rawalpindi Division, with more than 43,000 police personnel planned for deployment in Attock, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal.
According to the reported security plan, around 30,000 personnel will be deployed in Attock, while more than 10,000 will perform duties in Rawalpindi district.
Around 14,250 personnel are scheduled to be deployed at sealing points along the M-1 motorway, including Haroon Bridge, Ghazi-Barotha Motorway Bridge, Tower Hill, Hazara Motorway and Pathar Garh.
A further 11,450 personnel are planned for sealing points along the N-5 and N-80 routes, while approximately 5,000 will be deployed along the M-14 CPEC route.
In Rawalpindi district, around 3,100 personnel are to be stationed at 26 entry points, 1,800 at 73 blocking points and 3,738 at 152 police pickets.
Another 300 personnel are planned for roads and streets connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while 1,674 will form response teams across six sectors.
Additional deployments are planned for blocking points in Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal.
Riot-Control Equipment Prepared
Authorities have also prepared substantial riot-control and security equipment across the Rawalpindi region.
Reported stocks include tear-gas guns, long- and short-range shells, gas masks and filters. Officials have also sought additional equipment, including repeater guns, rubber bullets, tear-gas guns and shells, tear-gas grenades, anti-riot kits, shields, helmets, protective jackets and surveillance equipment.
According to the reported security plan, the five districts of Rawalpindi Division had 666 tear-gas guns, 52,118 long-range shells, 7,243 short-range shells, 1,529 splints, 1,531 gas masks and 1,693 gas-mask filters available. Additional equipment has also been requested.
Authorities have sought logistical support including armoured personnel carriers, water cannons, prison vans, megaphones and quadcopters.
Islamabad Security Preparations Intensify
Security preparations have also been stepped up in Islamabad, with authorities planning to monitor developments through the Safe City surveillance system and other monitoring facilities.
A separate security plan reported earlier this week involved the deployment of additional personnel from Punjab, Sindh and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the positioning of containers at key roads and entry points. More than 1,000 containers were initially planned for strategic locations around the capital, including the Red Zone and D-Chowk.
Authorities have also prepared measures to restrict access through major routes connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The security arrangements come as the PTI prepares for its September 27 protest. The Islamabad High Court has also issued directions concerning the planned march, while government officials have said they will enforce the court’s order.
Punjab authorities have separately requested the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali from September 22 to October 5 to assist the provincial police with law-and-order duties.
The administration says the security measures are aimed at maintaining public order and protecting people and property during the planned demonstrations.