Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is scheduled to arrive in Lahore at 2:00 PM today as part of preparations for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march to Islamabad on September 27. In response, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province for five days.
It is worth noting that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz recently described Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as threats to Punjab, stating that the province faces a greater danger from these two regions than from neighboring countries.
According to the PTI, during his visit to Lahore, the Chief Minister will visit the residence of party worker Ishtiaq Khan—who passed away yesterday—to offer condolences to the family. Subsequently, he will address lawyers, organizational office-bearers, and the women’s wing at the Lahore High Court.
According to the visit schedule, he will also pay a visit to Data Darbar and later tour Liberty Chowk and various markets in Lahore as part of the long march campaign.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province for five days.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the government has enforced Section 144 from September 13 to 17. Under this order, a complete ban has been imposed on the assembly, processions, or gathering of five or more people in public places, on highways, and in open spaces.
The Punjab Home Department stated that carrying or displaying any type of weapon in public places is also prohibited, and inciting or encouraging people to participate in illegal gatherings will not be permitted. A spokesperson for the Home Department stated that the ban does not apply to wedding ceremonies, funeral prayers, burials, mosques, or other places of worship. Similarly, courts, government institutions, and events held with formal permission are exempt from this restriction.
According to the Home Department, information regarding imminent threats had been received from law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies.
The spokesperson indicated that intelligence reports suggest terrorist organizations are planning to target public gatherings; there are concerns that large assemblies, public meetings, rallies, sit-ins, and processions could become targets for potential attacks.
A spokesperson for the Lahore district administration stated that the enforcement of Section 144 would be strictly ensured, and legal action would be taken against violators. The administration added that additional police contingents have been deployed at Liberty Chowk and GPO Chowk.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that raids were conducted yesterday at the homes and private offices of several leaders—including Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed and Usman Hamza Awan, the party’s candidate for NA-120—to arrest party officials and workers.
PTI further stated that actions against workers are ongoing in various cities across Punjab, and orders for their detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) have also been issued.
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