The exhibition and use of weapons, riding passengers on motorcycles are completely prohibited; covering your face in public is also prohibited
Police officers inspect the site after the terrorist attacks in Quetta on February 1. Photo: Reuters
QUETTA:
The Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 across the province for a period of one month, citing increased security concerns, recent terrorist attacks and general law and order situation.
The decision took effect immediately and will remain in force from February 1 till the end of February, according to an official notification issued by the Balochistan Home Ministry on Sunday.
The move follows a series of coordinated attacks in several locations in Balochistan that took place the day before. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed on Saturday as security forces repelled attacks across the province, while 15 security personnel were also martyred in action.
“India-sponsored terrorist attacks Fitna al-Hindustan attempted to disrupt the peace of Balochistan by carrying out multiple terrorist activities around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni,” the ISPR said in a statement.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti termed these developments as a major success. Addressing a press conference today, he said forces remained on alert in other parts of the province where incidents subsequently occurred, adding that more than 5,800 intelligence-led operations were carried out over a 40-hour period.
According to the notification, the exhibition and use of weapons has been completely banned. Brandishing weapons, shooting from airplanes or carrying weapons in public or private places will be considered a serious offense.
The order also prohibits passenger riding on motorcycles, although authorities said exemptions for women and children were being considered, consistent with previous notifications.
“The movement of vehicles with tinted or blackened windows has been prohibited, as have the use of unregistered vehicles and motorcycles. Gatherings of five or more people, including rallies, processions, demonstrations or public meetings of a political, religious or social nature, have also been prohibited. Any such activity will require prior approval of the district administration concerned,” the statement said.
Covering the face in public places with masks, mufflers or fabrics is prohibited, except for medical or other legitimate reasons. The notification warns that violators will face strict legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code and other relevant laws, which may include imprisonment of up to six months or fines.
Police, law enforcement, the Frontier Corps and other law enforcement agencies have been given full powers to enforce the restrictions.
Officials said the measures were essential to protect lives and property, enhance ongoing counterterrorism efforts and prevent any untoward incidents. The provincial government urged citizens in all districts to fully respect the restrictions and cooperate with authorities to help maintain peace.
Read also: 92 terrorists killed, 15 security agents martyred
Earlier, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s findings showed that “all links point to India” in the recent attacks across Balochistan that were claimed by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
Speaking to reporters in his hometown of Sialkot, Asif said the BLA “is an internationally recognized and internationally banned terrorist organization”, adding that it seeks to maintain its visibility “to obtain foreign funding from India”. He said the group had carried out attacks against civilians, including kidnappings of civilians and government employees.
He alleged that the group attempted to mask its activities by adopting a human rights-oriented posture. “They also wore a veil in the form of human rights activism, a sort of costume in the form of BYC and the missing persons narrative,” he said.
Recalling his previous tenure as defense minister, Asif said he said eight years ago that many people described as missing were in fact members of terrorist organizations such as the BLA.
“These are agents of these terrorist organizations who are attacking our offices and our homes,” he said. According to him, when such individuals are killed, they are identified as terrorists, while a “false narrative” is created around the missing people.
The BLA claimed responsibility for the attacks in a social media post, describing them as the second phase of “Operation Heroof”.
Security sources also claimed that Indian media and India-related social media accounts had amplified support for Fitna al Hindustan during the attacks, which they described as part of a coordinated hostile information campaign.
