PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday held a public gathering in Peshawar despite imposition of section 144 of the criminal procedure code (CPC) in the city, according to which pillion riding, aerial firing, use of loudspeakers, public gatherings and political rallies are banned.

A notification to this effect was issued on May 24 by Peshawar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Riaz Mehsud, banning the aforementioned actions up until June 23. The order was seen as a move to maintain law and order during the upcoming local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Know more: Section 144 imposed in Peshawar ahead of LG polls.

Under section 144 of the CPC, the district administration has “power to issue order absolute at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger”.

The district administration had also asked the police to take strict action against violators under the relevant laws.

But no action has so far been taken against PTI’s show of strength in Peshawar’s Tehmas Stadium, which was a straightforward violation of the KP administration’s May 24 order.

Imran Khan not only used a loudspeaker and attended a huge political rally despite a ban, a large number of police officials were also present to secure the gathering.

When contacted, Peshawar DC Riaz Mehsud said the Lahore High Court had granted Imran Khan permission to hold political rallies. But Mehsud did not comment on whether today's rally was a violation of the recently imposed section 144 of the CPC.

A source in the provincial district administration on condition of anonymity said the local administration had invoked section 144 but it was the police’s responsibility to ensure its implementation.