KHYBER: The district administrations imposed on Sunday Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code, banning display of weapons and firing in the air to ensure peaceful conduct of the election process.

The Khyber administration imposed the restriction till February 10.

A notification issued from the Khyber House said in the wake of the current law and order situation, there existed a substantive threat of miscreants targeting processions and public gatherings during the ongoing election campaign, which might result in loss of precious lives, and thus Section 144 was imposed with immediate effect.

It said there would be a complete ban on carrying or open display of all types of weapons, including licensed ones. However, law enforcement personnel would be exempted from the ban.

Meanwhile, the Lakki Marwat and Bannu deputy commissioners also banned display of weapons and firing in the air for 15 days in their respective districts.

An official in Lakki Marwat said on Sunday that deputy commissioner Rahmat Ali imposed restrictions on use, display and carrying of weapons, including licensed ones, following reports about brandishing of arms and ammunition in different areas of the district.

He said the personnel of law enforcement agencies would be exempted from the ban.

“The restrictions were inevitable in the prevailing law and order situation and with general elections a few days away,” he maintained.

“Along with display of weapons, Bannu DC Shah Saud also banned firing in the air in the district,” said an official of the administration. He said there were sufficient grounds necessitating the imposition of restrictions.

He said display of weapons and firing in the air might lead to any untoward incident in the upcoming elections.

Also, the Dera Ismail Khan and Tank administrations on Sunday banned display of weapons and firing in the air for 16 days in order to ensure a safe and secure environment for smooth conduct of elections scheduled to be held on Feb 8. The order was issued following the directions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Strict legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the order.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2024