Rawalpindi:
The Rawal Pindi authorities have introduced section 144 throughout the district and banned all public gatherings, riding of motorcycle pills and rallies from August 4 to August 10 with reference to security concerns in front of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf’s (PTI) August 5-Protest.
On Monday, the Deputy Commissioner’s office issued a formal review stating that the restrictions aimed at maintaining law and order for a sensitive period.
According to the announcement “there will be a complete ban on political gatherings, rallies and processions in Rawalpindi -District. Pillion, which runs on motorcycles, will also be banned from August 4 to August 10.”
The message also prohibits the display of weapons and the use of speakers in public spaces. Any attempt to remove official roadblocks located on major transmission roads will result in litigation, warned officials.
The administrative clampdown comes in the midst of PTI’s continued mobilization efforts despite ongoing political and legal challenges. The party has not officially announced a rally in Rawalpindi, but the authorities appear to take preventative measures.
It is worth noting that the PTI founder, after a series of failed protests, has again decided to demonstrate street power to campaign for the rule of law and release of prisoner party leaders and workers. However, the party seems to be divided on key political issues, with disagreement votes that are increasingly emerging in the public.
Days prior to his scheduled protest on August 5, PTI faces a widespread crash where party leaders go into hiding, workers reporting home attacks and several bank accounts allegedly frozen. Party leaders and workers claim that police across Punjab have intensified efforts to suppress the protest by launching a campaign for threats.
Many party workers complain that the police have been knocking on doors since August 1 and forced workers to sign declarations that promised not to participate in the protest.
The raids have led to panic within PTI rows, with several leaders chose to go underground to avoid arrest. Party sources claim that the “Door-Banking” campaign has quickly expanded over the past few days.
In addition to the printing tactics on Earth, several reports of financial restrictions have been imposed on PTI management. The bank account of Hafiz Zeeshan Rasheed, a senior PTI office carrier in Punjab, has allegedly been frozen, one of many such cases, according to the party.
