In a dramatic response to the Islamabad administration's order against public gatherings, Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid has said that he will "tear Section 144 into 144 pieces."

"On Nov 2, Rawalpindi will be closed down no matter what anyone does," Rasheed told reporters Thursday adding, "from Chandi Chowk till Islamabad, people will come out onto the streets."

"We have not even started yet, we will start tomorrow from Lal Haveli," he added, referring to an old building in downtown Bohar Bazaar that serves as his political office.

"Congratulations, Nawaz Sharif, congratulations Shahbaz Sharif! You have started the game, now we will make sure you meet your end."

Earlier today, District Magistrate of Islamabad Capt (retd) Mushtaq Ahmed imposed Section 144 of the criminal procedure code (CrPC) in Islamabad for two months, creating another obstacle for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) planned siege of Islamabad on November 2.

Under the order, the carrying and display of weapons and use of loudspeakers has been prohibited. Section 144 also prohibits public gatherings of five or more persons, rallies and demonstrations within Islamabad.

"No person other than the members of armed forces, civilian law enforcement agencies, Rangers and police on duty shall carry firearms or display firearms within the revenue/territorial limits of district Islamabad," said the notification issued by the magistrate's office.

Opinion

Editorial

Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...
Ties with Tehran
Updated 24 Apr, 2024

Ties with Tehran

Tomorrow, if ties between Washington and Beijing nosedive, and the US asks Pakistan to reconsider CPEC, will we comply?
Working together
24 Apr, 2024

Working together

PAKISTAN’S democracy seems adrift, and no one understands this better than our politicians. The system has gone...
Farmers’ anxiety
24 Apr, 2024

Farmers’ anxiety

WHEAT prices in Punjab have plummeted far below the minimum support price owing to a bumper harvest, reckless...