Public rallies, protests banned in Karachi for 5 days

The Karachi commissioner has enforced a five-day ban on protests, sit-ins, rallies, and public gatherings across the city under Section 144, citing security concerns.

A notification from the commissioner’s office, issued on Saturday, announced the restriction on demonstrations and gatherings of more than five people throughout Karachi, based on the recommendation of the additional inspector general (AIG) of Karachi.

The ban will be in place from October 13 to 17. According to the notification, the Karachi police chief alerted authorities that “various groups are planning protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, and rallies on the same day in the city, which could lead to security risks, law and order issues, and inconvenience for the public.”

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, exercising powers delegated by the Sindh home department, has imposed a complete ban on public gatherings within the city limits.

Separately, the Punjab government has also enforced restrictions on public gatherings in five districts under Section 144 for three days, citing security concerns.

The districts affected are Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, and Kot Addu. The ban, effective from October 12 to October 14, is intended to address security risks and uphold law and order, according to the state-run APP.

A spokesperson for the home department confirmed that all political events, protests, sit-ins, and similar activities are strictly prohibited during this period. The government has highlighted the potential danger posed by public gatherings, which could be targeted in terrorist attacks.

The decision followed requests from the respective district administrations and emphasized the need to maintain law and order.

The Punjab home department has issued an official notification regarding the imposed restrictions, stressing the importance of ensuring public safety and protecting lives and property during the ban.