The Punjab government has enforced Section 144 across the province to maintain law and order during the upcoming Muharram observances [1].
These measures aim to prevent sectarian tensions during religious gatherings and secure sensitive locations, including airports and military bases. The restrictions reflect the government's effort to mitigate potential unrest in regions prone to instability during high-tension religious periods.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department said the government has enforced Section 144 from the first to the 10th of Muharram to maintain peace, law and order, and prevent any sectarian tensions during religious gatherings [1]. This 10-day period covers the most significant days of the observance [2].
Beyond the religious window, the government has implemented broader security measures. A spokesperson said the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 for 30 days to prohibit several activities in the vicinity of airports and Pakistan Air Force bases across the province, citing risks to flight safety [3].
Security concerns also extend to the use of unmanned aircraft. A spokesperson said the Punjab government has extended the enforcement of Section 144 across the province for another 30 days, maintaining a complete ban on the use of drones in open spaces [5].
Section 144 is a colonial-era law that allows the administration to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in a public place. The current deployment targets both public gatherings and specific technical activities, such as drone operation, that could jeopardize the security of sensitive installations [3], [5].
“The Punjab government has enforced Section 144 across Punjab from 1st to 10th Muharram to maintain peace”
The use of Section 144 indicates a preemptive security posture by the Punjab government. By combining a time-limited ban for religious observances with a longer 30-day restriction around military and aviation hubs, the state is attempting to isolate religious friction from national security vulnerabilities. The specific ban on drones suggests an increased concern over asymmetric threats and surveillance near Pakistan Air Force bases.
