LAHORE: The Punjab government has notified imposition of Section 144 from Muharram 1 to 10 as well as banned pillion riding from Muharram 7 to 10 across the province.

The imposition of Section 144 has banned “innovations in processions and majalis; raising of slogans and making visible signs or representation, which may incite public sentiments or directly or indirectly hit the belief of any sect, community or group.

The order has banned display of clubs, knives, daggers, spears and any other article, which may be used as a weapon of offence and combustible material at public places except where permitted by a competent authority.

The ban has also been imposed on the dissemination of information through any system or device with the intent to glorify and incite religious, sectarian hatred or uses abusive or derogatory remarks through any information system or device that advances or is likely to advance interfaith, sectarian or racial hatred. It is also forbidden to construct “morchas” on rooftops of houses or other buildings situated at the route of processions and collection of stones, bricks, bottles and rubbish etc on procession routes.

In order to ensure a clear route for processions, the Section 144 requires occupation on the roofs of the shops and houses situated on either side of the routes at the time of processions and standing of spectators on the planks in front of shops is also banned.

While pillion riding has been banned from Muharram 7 to 10, the senior citizens, ladies and personnel of law enforcement agencies have been given exemption from the ban.

Meanwhile, the home department has forwarded the IG police’s request to the interior ministry for jamming of cellular services in different districts of Punjab to maintain law and order during Muharram.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024