LAHORE: The caretaker Punjab government has imposed section 144 to prevent disturbance of public peace and tranquility in the province till Feb 12 in connection with the general elections 2024.

A notification issued by the Punjab home department here on Tuesday includes certain restrictions aimed at ensuring law and order before and after the elections across the province. It slaps a a ban on carrying and displaying weapons, including the licenced ones, except those carried by the law enforcement agencies personnel.

While banning all types of firing, the notification declared that no violation of any clause of the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shall be allowed.

“The order shall remain in force in Punjab with immediate effect till Feb 12 unless modified,” reads the notification issued by the Punjab Home Secretary Shakeel Ahmad.

He said that section 144 was imposed following the threats to the law and order and public peace in Punjab during the general elections.

In connection with the elections, the home secretary said, a large number of political gatherings rallies, corner meetings, etc are likely to be held by the contesting candidates and political parties, which may become “soft target” for terrorists and miscreants.

He added that given the past history, a possibility of clashes between the candidates and rival political parties/groups in different areas, cannot be ruled out, which may pose a threat to the public peace and order in the province.

“In my opinion there were sufficient grounds to proceed under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 as an immediate prevention and speedy remedy in the matter and the directions, appearing hereinafter, are necessary to prevent disturbance of public peace and tranquility in Punjab,” reads the notification.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2024