Lahore : Ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election rally and Aurat March scheduled on Wednesday, the Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144, which prohibits public rallies. According to a report by Geo News, several PTI workers have been arrested from the Zaman Park area for violating Section 144. The party workers were taken into custody from the same area where PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s residence is located.

The Home Department stated in its notification that daily rallies and protests in different parts of Lahore pose serious security threats, disrupt traffic, and cause inconvenience to the public. The notification also highlighted a history of terrorist activities during these events, which have resulted in the loss of lives of police officials and civilians.

Considering the current security situation due to the recent wave of terrorism and threat alerts, it was necessary to impose Section 144 on all kinds of assemblies, gatherings, sits-ins, rallies, processions, demonstrations, jalsas, dharnas, protests, and other similar activities across Lahore district to prevent any untoward incident. The notification was issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Shakeel Ahmed.

The PTI election rally, led by Imran Khan, was scheduled to begin from Zaman Park and pass through the Mall Road Underpass, FC College Underpass, Ichhra, Ferozepur Road close to Muslim Town Morr, Samnabad, LOS Chowk, Lytton Road, MAO College, PMG Chowk, Government College, and Central Model School, culminating at Data Darbar.