LAHORE: The ban on public rallies and processions across the province will remain enforced till June 11, according to the Punjab government.

Dismissing media reports about the fresh imposition of Section 144 in the province, a senior official of the home department told Dawn, “Section 144 was imposed some two months ago in the wake of Operation Ruddul Fasaad, a suicide blast on The Mall and threat perception.”

However, electronic media on Thursday played up the imposition of Section 144 as a fresh ban in the wake of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI’s) mass public meeting at Parade Ground Islamabad on Friday to put pressure on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign as he had lost moral authority to stay in the office of the prime minister following Panamagate scandal case decision by the Supreme Court. PTI workers are scheduled to leave for Islamabad from across Punjab in the form of groups.

The home department had announced that the Section 144 had been imposed and no public meetings or rallies could be organised without getting prior permission from the deputy commissioners of respective districts in the province.

The home department’s announcement has also banned coverage of public meetings, rallies and sports activities by drone cameras being used by different news channels. The home department has also banned the use of huqqa and sheesha at public places.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2017