Pakistan: Islamabad implements ‘Section 144’ amidst election disputes

The Islamabad Police, as reported by ARY News, have implemented a ban on unlawful assemblies within the federal capital under Section 144. They emphasized that no illegal gatherings would be tolerated in Islamabad under the current enforcement of Section 144. A spokesperson for the Islamabad Police, cited by ARY News, affirmed that while protest is a fundamental right, any illegal activities would not be permitted. It was further stated that legal measures would be taken against individuals resorting to violence.

This announcement comes against the backdrop of various political parties planning protests regarding alleged electoral irregularities in the recent elections. The recent elections in Pakistan did not yield a clear majority for any single party. Independent candidates supported by a former prime minister, who is currently in jail, secured 92 out of 264 seats, making them the largest group.

The political situation in Pakistan remains uncertain as none of the major parties—Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), or Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—or their supported independent candidates managed to secure a simple majority in the National Assembly during the general elections on February 8. Political stakeholders are working to form alliances and secure 169 seats in the 336-member lower house of parliament.

Throughout the announcement of results, PTI-supported independent candidates maintained their lead in the 2024 general elections over mainstream political parties, particularly in the National and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies.