Section 144 imposed in Islamabad; district admin warns citizens against participating in any 'illegal activity'

Section 144 imposed in Islamabad; district admin warns citizens against participating in any 'illegal activity'.

Key points

• Munawer Azeem Published September 23, 2026 Updated September 23, 2026 11: 18pm.
• A copy of the order, issued by Islamabad Extra District Magistrate Dr Anam Fatima and dated Sept 18, is available with Dawn.
• Section 144 has been imposed for two months in Islamabad, it emerged on Wednesday, with the district administration warning citizens against participating in any "illegal activity".
• According to the order, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been enforced with immediate effect and "shall remain in force for a period of two months".
• In a separate statement issued on Wednesday, the district administration remarked that Section 144 had been enforced in the federal capital.

Munawer Azeem Published September 23, 2026 Updated September 23, 2026 11: 18pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

For context, the order comes as the Kissan Ittehad and PTI have confirmed long marches and sit-ins in Islamabad in the coming week. The PTI has confirmed a long march on Sept 27 to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan. This person is at present incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail.

Notably, a copy of the order, issued by Islamabad Extra District Magistrate Dr Anam Fatima and dated Sept 18, is available with Dawn.

As well as processions, rallies and demonstrations, at any public place within the revenue limits of the district, including the Red Zone, the order prohibited gatherings of five or more individuals.

Highlighting that "certain segments of society" were planning to organise "unlawful assemblies", the order termed it "necessary to control such types of illegal activities which present a threat to public peace, tranquillity and maintenance of law and order".

It continued that processions and demonstrations being planned in the territory were probable to threaten public peace, cause annoyance and injury, endanger human life and safety, threaten public property and could lead to a riot in Islamabad. On these grounds, it stated that "immediate prevention and speedy remedy is required" to protect life and property.

"No gatherings or assemblies of any kind are permitted in the city. Gatherings are additionally banned under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, " the district administration stated.

It remarked that strict legal action will be taken in the event of a violation, adding that violation of the act carried a penalty of three years' imprisonment.

"Citizens are urged not to participate in any illegal activity, and to cooperate with security agencies and demonstrate responsibility, " it continued.

Preparations in the Rawalpindi Division and the federal capital territory to maintain security and accord with any emergency situation are in full swing in light of the potential long march by the PTI and other protests in Islamabad.

Section 144 has additionally separately been enforced throughout Punjab for 13 days, in view of "serious threats" to public peace, tranquillity, and the lives and property of citizens throughout Punjab.

Meanwhile, the Punjab administration has additionally requested the federal administration to deploy Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali districts from Sept 22 to Oct 5 to assist the provincial police in maintaining law and order against the backdrop of the projected protest on Sept 27.

In August, the federal administration authorised the deployment of three businesses of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi for six months to perform "sensitive security duties" and respond to any unforeseen situation.

Taken together, the developments around section 144 imposed in Islamabad; district admin warns citizens against participating in point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.