Islamabad Imposes Section 144

News Desk
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad district administration has imposed Section 144 across the federal capital for a period of two months, strictly prohibiting public gatherings, processions, and rallies of five or more people, including within the sensitive Red Zone. Issued by Additional District Magistrate Dr Anam Fatima, the order comes into immediate effect as authorities brace for impending political and agrarian demonstrations.
The administrative crackdown is directly linked to upcoming protest announcements by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Kissan Ittehad, both of which have scheduled major long marches and sit-ins in the capital. The PTI has slated a high-stakes long march for September 27 to demand the release of its founding chairman, former prime minister Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
The sweeping ban highlights growing political tensions and security concerns in the twin cities, restricting freedom of assembly and movement as the government attempts to maintain public order.
Civil liberties groups and opposition leaders have frequently criticized such pre-emptive administrative measures, viewing them as systematic efforts to curtail democratic dissent and political mobilization.
With the September 27 deadline fast approaching, security forces are expected to ramp up intelligence-based operations, checkpoint monitoring, and container placements around key entry points to Islamabad.
Further high-level administrative reviews are anticipated in the coming days to evaluate potential threats and finalize containment strategies against the planned demonstrations.