- Article 144 extended on cabinet recommendation: Ministry of the Interior.
- Public gatherings are easy targets for terrorists, the spokesperson said.
- At least 1,648 police officers were injured in clashes with the TLP.
LAHORE: The Punjab government on Saturday extended Section 144 across the province for seven days, following last week’s Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protests, which left three people dead and several injured.
The Punjab Home Ministry spokesperson said Section 144 – which prohibits gatherings of four or more people – was extended on the recommendation of a law and order cabinet meeting.
The move comes just a day after the provincial government sent a summary to the federal government, seeking a ban on the TLP after party workers clashed with law enforcement agencies (LEA) in Lahore.
The clashes took place on the night of October 12-13, when police dismantled a TLP protest camp in Muridke.
Ensuing clashes between police and protesters resulted in the deaths of at least three TLP workers and a bystander, while reports showed that at least 30 civilians were also injured.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said at least 1,648 police officers were also injured, some of them shot.
A first information report (FIR) was registered against the TLP chief and other party leaders at Rawat police station, Rawalpindi.
Rizvi’s whereabouts are unknown since police dispersed TLP protesters in Muridke.
Meanwhile, Punjab Home Department spokesperson said the decision to extend Section 144 was aimed at restoring law and order.
According to the spokesperson, public gatherings could become easy targets for terrorists.
All gatherings – with the exception of weddings, funerals and burials – will be banned across the province until Friday, October 24, the spokesperson announced.
The Punjab government on Friday placed security on alert across the province to avert any untoward situation after the religious party issued a fresh call for protests.
According to reports, the Balochistan chapter president of the TLP had urged party supporters to gather at the Data Darbar in Lahore after Friday prayers.
