Punjab Bans Gatherings as PTI Plans Islamabad March

The Government of Punjab banned all gatherings of five or more people across the province until September 17 under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. This measure aims to disrupt a protest march toward Islamabad scheduled for September 27, organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to demand the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

To secure the federal capital, the Government of Pakistan is deploying 23,500 police personnel from Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan by September 20 and has used shipping containers to barricade main roads. In Rawalpindi, the police chief cancelled all officer leave until October. Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, alleged the opposition intended to bring armed supporters to the capital and warned that terrorists might exploit the rally.

In response to reports of raids on party workers' homes and the detention of women and children, the Islamabad High Court restrained authorities from arresting or harassing PTI leaders, including Malik Amir Ali and Shoaib Shaheen. Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas summoned the Islamabad SSP Operations for questioning and adjourned the hearing until next week.

The PTI plans to assemble a central convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and coordinate caravans nationwide, including shutdowns in Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad, and Quetta. The party estimates the first-day cost of the mobilization at approximately Rs450 million.