Pakistan: Punjab imposes Section 144, moves to ban TLP after violent protests - The Statesman
Punjab on Thursday imposed Section 144 across the province, banning public gatherings for two days, while also deciding to recommend to the federal government a ban on the religio-political party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following violent
Punjab on Thursday imposed Section 144 across the province, banning public gatherings for two days, while also deciding to recommend to the federal government a ban on the religio-political party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following violent demonstrations, according to Dawn.
The Punjab Home Department stated that the prohibition under Section 144, effective until Saturday, bans all protests, meetings, processions, rallies, sit-ins, and other gatherings.
The move comes after a pre-dawn operation by law enforcement agencies on Monday to dismantle a TLP protest camp in Muridke, which triggered violent clashes, widespread chaos, and multiple arrests, Dawn reported.
The TLP had planned a “Gaza solidarity” march, intending to reach Islamabad and protest outside the US embassy. Official figures show that 2,716 people were arrested following the Muridke operation. Of these, 251 were detained by Lahore police and 178 by Sheikhupura police. Additionally, around 2,800 people have been barred from traveling abroad, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said.
Section 144 under the Criminal Procedure Code allows district administrations to prohibit assemblies of four or more people in a given area for a specified period. The Punjab Home Department emphasized that the ban includes restrictions on weapons, loudspeakers, and the publication or distribution of inflammatory, hateful, or sectarian material. The decision was taken in view of “concerns related to terrorism and public order,” the statement added.





