Sindh Government Imposes Province-Wide Ban on Public Gatherings

The Sindh government has declared a month-long prohibition on all forms of protests, sit-ins, rallies, and public assemblies across the province. This action, authorized under Section 144, is a response to identified security concerns.

A formal announcement from the Sindh interior ministry was released on Sunday, specifying that the ban on demonstrations and gatherings of more than five individuals is being implemented throughout Sindh at the request of the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh.

According to the notification, the ban will be in effect from October 12 to November 12, lasting for one month. The aim is to uphold law and order and prevent disruptive elements from congregating in ways that could jeopardize public safety within the province.

This decision comes after Rawalpindi imposed Section 144 three days prior to prevent gatherings. This earlier ban, which prohibited protests and assemblies for 14 days, was put in place before the Aqsa Million march organized by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.

A similar notification from the Punjab Home Department stated that gatherings, processions, and sit-ins are also forbidden under Section 144 to maintain public order in the province.

The rationale behind this measure is based on reliable intelligence suggesting an increased possibility of coordinated attacks targeting public gatherings, government buildings, and law enforcement personnel.