RAWALPINDI: Police on Sunday conducted a flag march across the garrison city to demonstrate their preparedness and reaffirm their commitment to maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, the district administration extended the enforcement of section 144 for another 15 days. According to a notification, the ban will remain in force until February 21. The extension was made on the recommendation of the District Intelligence Committee (DIC).
As a result, a complete ban on gatherings, including meetings, processions, sit-ins, assemblies and rallies, as well as the gathering of five or more persons, will remain in place.
The use of loudspeakers and the display of firearms have also been prohibited, the notification said, adding that hate speech and controversial or inflammatory speeches were also banned.
The use of sticks, slingshots, bearings and petrol bombs has likewise been prohibited. Legal action will be taken against anyone found violating section 144, the notification warned.
The flag march started from Police Headquarters and passed through Ammar Chowk, Rawal Road, Shaheen Chowk, Chandni Chowk, Double Road, Faizabad, Committee Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Peshawar Road, Chohar Chowk, Adiala Road and other areas.
The march was led by SSP Operations Malik Tariq Mehboob and attended by the SSP Investigation, Chief Traffic Officer Farhan Aslam, divisional SPs, SDPOs, SHOs and other officers.
Police officials said the purpose of the flag march was to express the commitment of Rawalpindi Police to maintaining law and order in the city.
City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani said that no illegal gathering would be allowed under section 144 and that those involved in violations or acts of mischief would be dealt with an iron hand.
He urged citizens to refrain from participating in any illegal or mischievous activities, adding that the protection of the lives and property of citizens was the top priority of the police.
Law enforcement agencies were placed on high alert, with more than 4,300 police personnel deployed to perform security and traffic duties. Senior officers remained present in the field to supervise the arrangements.
Random checking was being carried out at 82 locations across the city, including the establishment of special pickets at entry and exit points. Implementation of Section 144 was being monitored continuously through Safe City and other surveillance cameras.
A police spokesman said effective security arrangements had been made across Rawalpindi, with police personnel maintaining a high level of alert.
The CPO said that pillion riding had been banned, while police station mobiles, Elite Force and Dolphin Force teams were patrolling the city. Continuous monitoring was being carried out through Safe City and other cameras.
Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2026