Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of PTI’s protest outside Adiala, April 9 rally

RAWALPINDI: The district administration has banned gatherings across the district for 15 days ahead of PTI’s protest outside the Adiala jail on Tuesday and a separate gathering on April 9.

In an order issued on Monday, a copy of which is available with Dawn, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema imposed Section 144 of the CrPC from April 6 to April 20, banning gatherings, sit-ins, and protests.

“It has been brought to my attention by the District Intelligence Committee (DIC) in its meeting held on April 4 that there exists an imminent threat within the limits of District Rawalpindi, particularly surrounding sensitive installations, prominent roads and other critical infrastructure,” the order read.

It added that the DIC has reported intelligence suggesting that “certain groups and elements are actively mobilising with intentions to disturb the law and order situation through large gatherings, protests and disruptive assemblies”.

“The forum further indicates that these elements may target soft locations and mobilise individuals with the potential to engage in violent actions near key installations and other sensitive sites,” the order stated.

In light of the above circumstances, the DC termed it “essential to ensure the security of the people and installations buildings against any potential threat”. Subsequently, he banned gatherings of five or more persons across Rawalpindi.

The DC also prohibited carrying “weapons, spikes, laden batons, gulels, ball bearings, petrol bombs, improvised explosives or any other instrument that could potentially be used for violence”.

Over the past few months, PTI has staged sit-ins near or outside the prison complex every Tuesday and Thursday — the court-mandated days for visiting the former premier and PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated at the Adiala jail and has faced restrictions on meetings with family and party leaders.

The PTI has called for a “peaceful protest” outside the Adiala jail today against the restrictions on meeting Imran.

The party has also announced a protest in Rawalpindi on April 9 (Thursday), marking the day the former prime minister was ousted in a no-confidence motion in 2022.

On Monday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the protest in Rawalpindi would be a one-day peaceful activity.

“The April 9 protest is meant to highlight concerns regarding democratic backsliding, economic decline, inflation, delays in the hearing into PTI founder Imran Khan’s cases, as well as his and his wife’s continued illegal detention and inhumane treatment,” Afridi told a news conference at the KP House in Islamabad.

He called upon authorities to grant permission for the gathering, and any denial would compel participants to register a protest at the point of obstruction.

The CM said that his convoy would leave Peshawar for Rawalpindi at 11am on April 9, with participants joining it from various districts.