Lahore, November 2, 2025: The Punjab Home Department has extended the enforcement of Section 144 across the province until November 8, continuing the ban on protests, rallies, sit-ins, and public gatherings due to security concerns and the threat of terrorism, according to a statement issued on Sunday.
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) empowers district administrations to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in a designated area for a specific period.
“In view of security threats, public processions and sit-ins can be soft targets for terrorists,” the Home Department said in its statement. “Malignant elements can take advantage of public protests and carry out anti-state activities to fulfil their nefarious intentions.”
The department also announced a complete ban on the display of all types of weapons across Punjab and prohibited the use of loudspeakers, except for the Azan and Friday sermons.
Additionally, the publication and distribution of inflammatory, hateful, or sectarian material have been strictly banned. The statement said the decision to extend Section 144 aimed to maintain law and order and ensure the protection of lives and property.
“The Punjab government issued the orders in view of the concerns over terrorism and public order,” the department said, clarifying that the ban does not apply to wedding ceremonies, funerals, and burials.
Officials and personnel performing official duties, as well as court proceedings, are also exempted from the restrictions.
The Home Department noted that the ban, initially imposed on October 8 for ten days, was first extended on October 18 and again on October 25. The latest extension followed a decision by the Cabinet Committee for Law and Order in its 39th meeting, held amid security threats and ongoing tensions with the banned religiopolitical party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
