The Lahore High Court (LHC) has asked the Punjab government and other relevant parties to respond to a challenge against the enforcement of Section 144 across the province. Justice Shakeel Ahmad heard the case, which was brought forward by citizen Najiullah.
Najiullah’s petition argues that the Punjab government’s imposition of Section 144—restricting public gatherings—was unlawful. The petitioner highlighted that while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had planned a public event in Islamabad on August 22, the Punjab government’s action to enforce Section 144 across the province was a violation of fundamental rights.
The petitioner has requested that the court revoke the Section 144 order, which has been in place since August 21 and bans all forms of public gatherings, rallies, protests, and sit-ins across Punjab.
This restriction comes as PTI postponed its planned gathering in Islamabad to avoid clashes with ongoing protests by a religious group. PTI has rescheduled its event for September 8.
