Pakistan: Section 144 Enforced In Karachi Ahead Of High-Profile SCO Summit

The Karachi administration has imposed Section 144 across the city for four days, starting October 13, to ensure public safety and maintain law and order, ARY News reported. This decision follows a recommendation from Sindh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon, who cited potential threats to peace as the main reason for the restriction.

The order prohibits gatherings of five or more people, processions, and public meetings during this period, with the restrictions in place until October 17. In his letter to the administration, IGP Memon warned that protests and rallies could disrupt peace, creating significant security risks and inconveniencing citizens. The ban on public gatherings is aimed at safeguarding the general public and maintaining order during this period.

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Similarly, the Punjab Home Ministry has imposed Section 144 in five districts—Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzzafargarh, Rajanpur, and Kot Addu—for three days, banning all political gatherings, sit-ins, and rallies until October 15. The provincial government cited security concerns, fearing that large gatherings could become potential targets for miscreants.

These measures coincide with an announcement by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to hold a protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on October 15. The protest is expected to coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, raising security concerns given the presence of international leaders. Authorities aim to minimize the risk of disruption during the high-profile event.

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