PTI Mobilizes Protests in Major Cities Against Proposed Judicial Package Despite Section 144 Restrictions

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday organized protests in key cities against the proposed 26th constitutional amendment, despite Section 144 being enforced to prohibit public gatherings and demonstrations in the capitals of Punjab and Sindh.

The Imran Khan-led party had called for nationwide protests two days prior against the proposed constitutional package and the party founder’s imprisonment, which has lasted over a year across multiple cases.

The party’s political committee has vowed to make every effort to block the passage of the proposed constitutional amendments in both houses of parliament. This package seeks to establish a federal constitutional court and set the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to three years, among other measures.

Karachi

In Karachi, tensions escalated as police used tear gas and batons to disperse PTI activists who gathered near Empress Market to protest the government’s efforts to pass the controversial judicial package.

A group of PTI loyalists gathered at the Karachi Press Club, despite several roads leading to the Governor’s House being closed.

In response to the road closures—spanning from the FTC bridge on Sharea Faisal to Metropole, the Coast Guard Office to the Karachi Press Club, and the Arts Council to the press club—Karachi police implemented an alternative traffic plan for commuters.

DIG South Asad Raza stated that 1,200 police personnel have been deployed in the city’s Red Zone amid the PTI protests.

Notably, the Karachi administration has extended the enforcement of Section 144 for two additional days, until October 19, according to a notification issued earlier in the day.

Similarly, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province for October 18 and 19, declaring a holiday for all private and public schools, universities, and colleges.

Islamabad

In Islamabad, security measures have been intensified, with only one lane on the main road from Islamabad to Rawalpindi remaining open to traffic, while the opposite lane is accessible to general vehicles.

Rawalpindi

In Rawalpindi, police, led by Senior Superintendent Kamran Asghar, conducted a flag march in response to PTI’s call for protest, involving personnel from various units including the elite force, Dolphin Force, and the traffic department. More than 3,000 officials have been deployed throughout the city.

Security forces have also made arrests of PTI workers in various cities, with three women detained in Lahore and ten activists arrested in Rawalpindi’s Dhoke Khabba as they gathered for demonstrations. Those arrested in Rawalpindi have been taken to Waris Khan Police Station.

Peshawar

In Peshawar, the PTI organized a protest outside the press club, where activists voiced slogans against the proposed constitutional amendment and alleged that former Prime Minister Khan is being unlawfully imprisoned by the current government, demanding an end to the “maltreatment” of their party founder in jail.

The PTI’s lawyer forum also held a demonstration in Gujranwala against the proposed judicial package at the district and session court premises.

Faisalabad

In Faisalabad, police set up barricades using trucks to block access to eight central markets around the Clock Tower roundabout. Containers were also placed at various locations along GT Road, including Gondlanwala Chowk, Sheikhupura Morr, and Sheranwala Bagh, causing significant traffic congestion and hindering commuters.

Sahiwal

In Sahiwal, police arrested former PTI MPA Rana Aftab, the district president, and nine other workers for organizing a protest at Bhandari Chowk in violation of Section 144.