Section 144 has been enforced in Punjab and Islamabad, restricting gatherings, processions, and protests ahead of opposition parties' rallies.
The capital administration has warned that any infractions will be dealt with with severe penalties. "Violation of Section 144 is not permitted under any circumstances," said a district administration spokesman.
It is pertinent to mention here that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is protesting against a significant rise in power rates, while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and other religious parties organized nationwide rallies on Friday against the Supreme Court's ruling in the Mubarak Sani case.
On the other side, the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has stated that they will hold rallies on Friday to demand the release of Imran Khan, the party's founder.
Law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the federal capital in order to ensure compliance, and citizens are advised to refrain from engaging in any unlawful behavior.
Similarly, the Punjab Home Department has launched a province-wide Section 144 enforcement campaign from July 26 to 28. The letter stressed that public meetings, demonstrations, sit-ins, and protests are prohibited during this time because they might be easy targets for terrorist attacks.
"The administration will ensure the order's implementation throughout Punjab," the statement read.
This decision is motivated by fears that any political gathering may serve as a "soft target" for terrorists and miscreants in light of the current law and order situation and security risks.
Meanwhile, the federal capital has been entirely blocked up by containers, thus separating it from the surrounding areas, including Rawalpindi.