Section 144 imposed in Punjab

LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province in view of Muharram security arrangements.

According to the spokesman of the Punjab Home Department, a ban has been imposed on all sorts of innovations with reference to processions and Majaalis. A ban has also been imposed on the display of lathis, knives, daggers, spears and any other article which may be used as a weapon of offence and combustible material at public places except where permitted by a competent authority.

The Punjab government has banned raising slogans and making visible signs or representations which may incite public sentiments or directly or indirectly hit the belief of any sect, community or group. Section 144 has also been imposed on dissemination of information through any system or device with the intent to glorify or incite religious and sectarian hatred or the use of abusive or derogatory remarks through any information system or device that advances or is likely to advance interfaith, sectarian or racial hatred. It is also forbidden to construct Morchas on rooftops of houses or other buildings situated along the route of processions and collection of stones, bricks, bottles and rubbish, etc on procession routes.

The spokesperson said occupation of rooftops of shops and houses situated on either side of the routes at the time of processions & standing of spectators on the planks in front of shops is also banned. Section 144 is imposed on all these from 1st to 10th Muharram, whereas pillion riding is banned from 7th to 10th Muharram.

It’s pertinent to mention here that senior citizens, ladies and personnel of law-enforcement agencies are given exemption from the ban on pillion riding, according to the spokesperson.