The Islamabad administration has imposed Section 144 for two months ahead of a planned protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the capital.
The ban, announced on Monday, prohibits all public gatherings of five or more people, processions, rallies, and demonstrations. Authorities say the decision was made to maintain law and order, citing concerns about potential unlawful assemblies and disruptions to public safety.
The order also highlights concerns about planned religious and other protests in Islamabad. It applies to all public spaces within the city, including the Red Zone, which is home to key government buildings and foreign embassies. Even after the two-month period, any ongoing investigations or legal actions related to violations of the ban will continue.
This move comes ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protest on November 24. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who founded PTI, has called on his supporters to march to Islamabad, with the party's leadership also expected to join the protest.
Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, confirmed that the protest will take place not only in Islamabad but also across Pakistan and internationally, where Khan’s supporters live.
PTI has outlined four main demands: the repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the restoration of democracy and the constitution, the return of the public’s mandate, and the release of all “innocent political prisoners.” The lawyer also mentioned that a committee has been formed to organize the march, but the names of its members are kept secret to avoid potential arrests.