Daily Times

Authorities have re-imposed Section 144 in Islamabad prohibiting gatherings of five or more people for the next two months, according to an official notification released on Monday, ahead of a planned protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the federal capital.

The order, issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, restricts all types of gatherings in the capital, including religious, political, and other public meetings, as part of measures aimed at maintaining public order. This move comes days after a previous imposition of Section 144 expired on November 17. Section 144 was previously imposed in Islamabad due to curb air pollution during the ongoing smog crisis in the capital city.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised its strategy for a ‘peaceful’ protest on November 24, with plans to ‘storm’ Islamabad from all directions.

According to sources, the PTI leadership is determined to reach Islamabad at any cost, and significant responsibilities have been assigned to the party’s leadership in Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions.

Sources indicate that the protest will begin with regional leadership organising mass demonstrations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad until the convoys from other provinces arrive.

PTI has assigned separate routes for each provincial convoy, with the final destination being Islamabad. The leadership is yet to decide on the exact location of the sit-in once they reach the capital.

The party has emphasised that the protest will continue indefinitely, and the core committee members have suggested the possibility of staging the sit-in at D-Chowk.

The PTI leaders have meanwhile also reiterated their commitment to a peaceful political struggle and underscored the constitutional right to freedom of speech and protest. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had issued key instructions for its supporters ahead of the November 24 protest as directed by Imran Khan, which is being described as a decisive moment for the party’s future.

According to a statement shared on PTI’s social media, the protest on November 24 will determine the fate of party members. “This will be the day of decision, when it will be decided who will remain in my party and who will not,” the statement read, quoting PTI leader Imran Khan. PTI’s leadership is urging supporters to take part in large convoys that will travel along major roads, documenting the event through detailed video footage. The videos should not only capture the vehicles involved but also the people accompanying them, PTI’s social media team emphasised.