District administration calls on citizens to comply with order, warns of strict action against violators
The Diamer district administration in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) has imposed Section 144 for a period of 60 days, starting June 5, as authorities complete final preparations for the elections.
The imposition of Section 144 was issued by Lt. (Retd) Diamer, District Magistrate Muhammad Awais, and covered a wide range of restrictions targeting risks to public safety and protection of sensitive installations.
Under these guidelines, a complete ban was imposed on “carrying or displaying all types of weapons and ammunition, aerial firing and use of crackers”, as well as a ban on “flying, operating and using all types of drones, quadcopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). »
Section 144 imposed on Diamer, GB
The ban, exempting those who obtained a written compliance notice from the district magistrate as well as law enforcement agencies, was enforced “in view of the current security environment and emerging threats to public safety, sensitive installations and strategic infrastructure in Diamer District.”
The notification further said, “Any unregulated or unauthorized flight of drones/UAVs, incidents of aerial firing and use of explosive fireworks pose a serious threat to public order, public tranquility and security of government buildings,” adding that it poses serious risks to human life, property and may result in fire hazards in public spaces.
Read: Tensions rise in Britain ahead of vote
According to the district magistrate, “the situation is urgent and requires immediate preventive measures to maintain public tranquility, ensure the safety of human lives and avoid any potential disturbance to public peace.”
The district administration appealed to citizens to comply with the orders in letter and spirit, warning that strict legal action would be taken against any potential violators.
Learn more: FO rejects New Delhi’s ‘wild claims’ about UK elections
Elections to the UK Assembly are due to take place on June 7, with the assembly completing its five-year term in November 2025. The elections, originally scheduled for January 24, were postponed due to extreme weather conditions.
The June 7 date was then finalized as the only possible window before the start of Muharram in mid-June, which otherwise would have pushed voting to late summer or early fall.
