Rawalpindi, February 8 (IANS). Alarmed by the protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the Rawalpindi administration has extended the period of Section 144 imposed in the city. Along with this, the metro bus service running between the capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi has also been suspended.
According to an official notification, the restrictions have been extended for another 15 days to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident. Under Section 144, there will be a complete ban on public meetings, rallies, demonstrations and processions. Authorities have also banned display of weapons and use of loudspeakers during this period.
According to Hum News, this notification was issued by Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hasan Waqar Cheema following the recommendations of the District Intelligence Committee. Officials say the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing security situation, and citizens have been urged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.
The administration has warned that legal action can be taken under relevant laws for violation of Section 144.
Although the reason behind the implementation of Section 144 has not been disclosed, it is being said in hushed tones to be the result of PTI’s nationwide protest. According to leading media house Dawn, PTI alleges that the elections held two years ago were rigged. The results of the general election on 8 February 2024 were ‘stolen’. Like last year, on this day they will take out protest rallies in Peshawar, Islamabad and all the big cities. The party says that along with this, it will also observe a mourning day on Friday in grief of the Imambargah blast in Tarlai area of Islamabad.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is lodged in Adiala Jail located in Rawalpindi, this is the reason why special arrangements have been made here.
At the same time, the metro bus service running between Islamabad and Rawalpindi has been completely suspended, causing inconvenience to the daily commuters.
Metro bus officials have confirmed that services have been stopped from Sadar station to Pak Secretariat on the instructions of the district administration. Apart from this, electric bus service in Rawalpindi has also been suspended till further orders.
Authorities have not announced any time frame for the restoration of services. He claimed that operations will resume once the situation becomes normal.
The suspension of public transport, as well as the extension of Section 144, have raised concerns about security in the Twin Cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi).
Section 144 was first imposed in January and has been extended several times. At the end of January 2026, it was extended to February 6, and has now been extended to February 21. The ban applies to public meetings, rallies, processions, display of weapons and use of loudspeakers.
The situation reflects the political and security challenges in Pakistan, where such measures are often adopted to quell protests.
–IANS
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