QUETTA: The Balochis­tan home and tribal affairs department has prohibited public gatherings and rallies and banned the blocking of main avenues and highways in Red Zone across the province under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

As per a home department notification released on Sunday, an immediate ban on gathering of five or more individuals has been implemented on national highways, other roads, and within Red Zone areas throughout the province.

In Quetta, it added, no approvals would be granted for conducting public meetings and processions along the route from Hockey Chowk to GPO Chowk, Anscomb Road, and from Hockey Chowk to the Afghan Consulate and Hali Road.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2023