Punjab govt bans gatherings until Sept 17 citing threats of 'possible terrorist activities

Punjab govt bans gatherings until Sept 17 citing threats of 'possible terrorist activities

The Punjab government on Sunday imposed a ban on all kinds of gatherings across the province until September 17 (Thursday), citing “multiple threat alerts” regarding possible terrorist activities. According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the ban on gatherings, among other restrictions, was imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The notification said, “Credible reports have been received from law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and intelligence agencies (IAs) mentioning a serious and imminent threat to public peace, tranquillity, and the safety of life and property across the province of Punjab by militant/terrorist organisations and hostile intelligence agencies (HIAS).” It further said that “multiple threat alerts have been received by IAs regarding possible terrorist activities being planned by such hostile agencies by employing” suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and targeted killings “during large public gatherings across Punjab to create mayhem, social unrest and disrupt public peace”. It contended that assemblies of people and demonstrations may present “potential targets for such terrorist attacks”, adding there was a “strong apprehension that certain elements may engage in activities, gatherings, or demonstrations that are likely to cause assemblies of persons”. The department said the Punjab police chief, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), the Special Branch of Punjab Police, and multiple district administrations have requested to take “immediate preventive measures to address these potential threats”. Subsequently, the Home Department imposed a ban on gatherings from September 13 (Sunday) to September 17 (Thursday). These include processions or assemblies of five or more people at public places, roads, highways and open spaces. However, the restriction will not apply to marriage ceremonies, funeral prayers, prayers at mosques and other places of worship, courts, or official government events. “Inciting people to participate in unlawful assemblies” has also been prohibited, the notification added. The government also banned carrying, displaying or brandishing all kinds of weapons at public places. The notification clarified that this restriction will not apply to personnel of law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies and security agencies while performing official duties. The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has been holding sit-ins against the petroleum levy in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and dozens of other locations across the country for nearly a month. JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addressed a gathering in Punjab’s Gujranwala on Friday, where he warned that the party would march towards Islamabad on September 20 if the government does not abolish the levy.