The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province from September 23 to October 5 as part of measures to improve security and protect public lives and property.
According to a notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, gatherings of five or more people have been banned at public places, roads, highways and open areas. The restrictions cover rallies, processions, sit-ins, demonstrations and other public gatherings. The order also prohibits the carrying, display or waving of weapons in public.
The notification also bars anyone from encouraging or provoking people to take part in unlawful gatherings. The restrictions have been imposed under Section 144(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
The Home Department said law enforcement and intelligence agencies had warned of immediate security threats. Intelligence reports indicated that terrorist groups could target large public gatherings, making rallies, demonstrations, sit-ins and processions possible targets for attacks.
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The restrictions will not apply to weddings, funeral prayers, burial ceremonies or prayers at mosques and other places of worship. Courts, government offices and officially approved events have also been excluded from the restrictions. Security, intelligence and law enforcement personnel will also be allowed to carry weapons while performing their official duties.
The latest order comes as security preparations have been stepped up across Punjab ahead of planned political activities, including a proposed protest march towards Islamabad on September 27.
The provincial government has also requested the deployment of Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali until October 5 to support police in maintaining law and order.
Security has also been tightened in Attock and along major routes connecting Punjab with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1), M-14 and parts of the GT Road were ordered closed from September 23 as authorities moved to prevent protesters from reaching the federal capital.
The latest Section 144 order comes after a similar five-day restriction was imposed across Punjab earlier this month over security concerns. At the time, authorities had also referred to threat alerts warning of possible attacks on large public gatherings.
The Punjab government said the restrictions were introduced to ensure public safety and maintain law and order across the province.