The District Administration in Quetta has enforced Section 144 across the city, warning that no traffic blockades, shutter-down strikes or forced closure of shops will be allowed during its implementation.
In an official announcement, the administration stated that blocking roads or calling any kind of strike cannot be permitted under Section 144. Authorities said the measure has been imposed to protect the lives and properties of citizens, maintain peace and order and keep the routine life going in the provincial capital.
The administration warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals, organizations, or facilitators found violating the orders. It added that responsible elements could be arrested under the 3 MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) law.
Citizens have been urged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, avoid paying attention to rumours and play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the city.
The development comes in the backdrop of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call for a nationwide shutter-down strike and protests against the alleged vote rigging in the Feb 8, 2024, General Elections.
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On Jan 8, the opposition alliance urged the nation and political parties to support its wheel-jam and shutter-down strike to mark the second anniversary of the Feb 8 elections. It said the protest movement would pave the way for talks with the government.
Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, now Leader of Opposition in National Assembly, made these remarks on the arrival of his caravan in Lahore from Islamabad. His Lahore visit was meant to mobilise the PTI supporters for the Feb 8 protests.
Achakzai told reporters that a powerful protest would exert pressure on the government to hold talks with the opposition and release its leader, the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.
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He said, “Slogans alone will not help release PTI founder Imran Khan from jail, but people rising up on February 8 and bringing the country to a standstill will.” He urged the public to rise to get rid of the parliament ‘thrust’ upon the country.
Answering a question, Achakzai said the nationwide shutdown on Feb 8 would pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition. “Who should we engage in talks with? They (federal government) snatched our mandate, the courts snatched the PTI’s election symbol, and sentenced political leaders and workers to 10 to 20 years in jail,” he said.