Pakistan implements lockdown in Islamabad amid anti-government rally

Pakistan authorities enforced a lockdown in Islamabad on Friday, in addition to implementing a blockade on cellphone providers, to counter an anti-government demonstration organized by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In response to the Islamabad police, Part 144 of the Code of Felony Process is in drive within the metropolis. The part empowers the authorities to ban sure actions within the public curiosity to take care of regulation and order. Within the assertion, the authorities requested residents to not be a part of any criminal activity and to look at site visitors advisories for street closures whereas touring. Violations of this ban could be punished with fines and imprisonment underneath part 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The rally was organized by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) occasion to protest in opposition to Khan’s imprisonment and to oppose pending constitutional amendments. Imran Khan, by way of X (previously Twitter), referred to as for peaceable protests in Islamabad and Lahore on Friday 4th, October, emphasizing the significance of standing up in opposition to oppressive forces.

Native stories stated the enforcement of the measures has resulted within the closure of instructional establishments, heightened safety in Islamabad, authorization for military deployment within the capital, suspension of cell phone providers, and a prohibition on double using. Moreover, over 400 people have been arrested in reference to the deliberate rally.

In response to PTI, Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, was arrested by the police at D Chowk for making an attempt to take part within the peaceable protest.

Amnesty Worldwide criticized the street blockades and blanket shutdown of communication networks previous to the protests for infringing on elementary rights, together with freedom of expression, entry to info, peaceable meeting, and motion. The group emphasised Pakistan’s obligations underneath the Worldwide Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, urging compliance with human rights requirements in mild of the upcoming overview by the Human Rights Committee.

Pakistan enacted a brand new Peaceable Meeting and Public Order Act 2024 in September, which outlawed unpermitted protests on the bottom of “disruption of day by day actions.” Taking part in an illegal meeting underneath the brand new regulation may end up in six months to 3 years imprisonment. Amnesty Worldwide equally criticized the regulation as “one other assault on the best to freedom of peaceable meeting in Pakistan.”