ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Friday extended ban on all kinds of gatherings of five or more people, processions and rallies and demonstrations at any public place in Islamabad, including the Red Zone for a period of two months.

Likewise, the ban also extended over use of cassette players sound, system, CD/DVD and other mediums for making objectionable/sectarian related speeches.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat on Friday issued separate notifications in this regard.

According to a notification, ban on carrying, displaying and exhibiting firearms, was also extended.

Sale, purchase and use of fire crackers and fireworks, distribution of handbills, pamphlets, carrying out wall calking, writing slogans and affixing posters on the walls were also prohibited for a period of two months.

Use of rough papers, including newspaper having holy words/verses imprinted on them for wrapping/packaging and preserving the commodities in any form and use of loudspeakers, sound amplifiers and sound system, except for Azan and Khutaba for Juma Prayers were also banned.

Another notification prohibited digging out stone through blasting and any sort of publication regarding launching of any housing scheme or sale of plots, inviting application to deposit membership fee or cost of plots in such housing schemes, without observing all legal and codal formalities as envisaged in the laws applicable thereto unless prior permission is obtained from the office of district magistrate.

The ban over the gathering was extended after knowing that certain segments of society are planning to organise unlawful assemblies, including majalis and processions which can disrupt public peace and tranquility and keeping in view the current law and order and security environment, the notification said.

Such activities are threat to public peace and tranquility and maintenance of law and order, it added.Besides, it has been brought to the notice of the district magistrate that some housing societies, trusts, limited companies, groups are operating in the Islamabad in the manner not warranted by the law relating thereto, a notification stated, adding that they allure the public at large by advertising the launching of housing schemes in the newspapers , brochures and booklets and even through local sale.

They invite membership either in excess of the land available to them or without having any land at all, it said.

Speculative transactions also emerge out of the situation which jeopardize the interest of the people and deprive them of their hard earned money, thus creating panic and anxiety in the society, the notification said, adding under such circumstances two months ban was imposed on any sort of publication regarding launching of any such housing scheme or sale plots, inviting application to deposit membership fee or cost of plots without observing all legal and codal formalities as envisaged in the laws applicable thereto unless prior permission is obtained from the office of district magistrate.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2020