Sindh Imposes One-Month Section 144 to Ban Protests and Gatherings

The Sindh government on Sunday announced the immediate enforcement of Section 144 across the entire province for one month. This order bans all protests, sit-ins, public meetings, and processions, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people under the imposed restrictions.

The decision was made in response to the prevailing law-and-order situation, as stated in the notification issued by Sindh Home Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Memon. Authorities have directed the police to take strict action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code against anyone violating the ban.

The Section 144 order came into effect on October 12, 2025, and aims to maintain peace and public safety throughout Sindh.

Meanwhile, similar restrictions were recently imposed in Rawalpindi, where Section 144 was enforced for four days to ban public gatherings, protests, and pillion riding. This move came in response to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) planned “Aqsa March” towards the US Embassy in Islamabad.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema issued the order in Rawalpindi, citing security concerns and intelligence reports that indicated a significant threat to public order. According to the official notification, there is a “serious risk” to human life, public property, and infrastructure, especially around sensitive locations and major roads in the district.

“Intelligence reports suggest that certain groups are actively mobilizing with intentions to disturb law and order through large gatherings, protests, and disruptive assemblies,” the notification warned.

The ban in Rawalpindi prohibited all forms of public rallies, processions, protests, and use of loudspeakers from October 8 to October 11, 2025, within the district limits to prevent any disruptions.