Punjab Government Enforces Section 144 During Muharram

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province from Muharram 1 to 10, starting June 27 or 28, to prevent unrest and ensure peace during the holy month.

The decision, issued in an official order from the Punjab Home Department on Friday, aims to prevent “disruption of public peace, instability, and ensure the safety of lives and property.”

What is Section 144?

Section 144 is a provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that allows district authorities to ban gatherings of four or more people in specific areas for a limited time. The order gives law enforcement the legal backing to curb any activities that could threaten public peace.

Bans Imposed Under Section 144

To maintain order during the sensitive period of Muharram, the Punjab government has put in place several restrictions:

• ❌ Ban on new or unapproved processions and majalis

• ❌ Ban on carrying weapons, including bamboo sticks, knives, daggers, spears, and flammable items

• ❌ Ban on hate speech, slogans, or gestures that could offend religious beliefs

• ❌ Ban on provocative social media posts, videos, and texts

• ❌ Ban on rooftop spectators, and temporary structures (like morchas or firing bays) along procession routes

• ❌ Ban on collecting stones, bottles, bricks, or garbage along procession paths

• ❌ Pillion riding banned on 9th and 10th Muharram, except for women, senior citizens, and law enforcement

Ban on Loudspeakers and Mobile Networks

Districts have been instructed to:

• Enforce the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act 2015, restricting unauthorized loudspeaker use

• Plan for mobile network suspension, especially during high-risk times and locations

• Develop contingency plans and keep an updated list of banned orators and zakireen

Law Enforcement Measures

To support peacekeeping efforts, Pakistan Army and Rangers will be deployed in sensitive areas. In Rawalpindi, five army companies and six Rangers units will help local police.