ISLAMABAD: The capital administration has imposed a ban on unlawful assemblies including majalis and procession, wall chalking and display of posters and the ban will remain enforced for two months keeping in view the current law and order and security situation.

Official of the administration said orders in this regards had been issued from the office of the District Magistrate Islamabad.

He, however, said the district administration’s permission was mandatory for holding majalis and processions during Muharram.

He said the district magistrate had imposed the ban on all kinds of gatherings of five or more persons, processions and rallies and demonstrations at any public place in Islamabad, including Red Zone after it has been brought to the magistrate knowledge that certain segments of the society were planning to organise unlawful assemblies including Majalis, procession in capital which can disrupt peace and tranquility.

The administration also imposed a ban on distribution of hand-bills, pamphlets, display of posters and wall chalking in capital which may hurt the feelings of different religious sects or segments of the society and disturb peace.

Similarly, a ban was also imposed on carrying, displaying and exhibiting firearms as show of force, except uniform personnel, he said adding: “No person other than the member of armed forces of Pakistan, Pakistan Rangers, member of ICT police and paramilitary forces on duty shall carry firearms or display firearms with in Islamabad.”

Furthermore, ban has also been imposed on usage of loudspeakers, sound amplifiers and sound system, except for Azan and Khutaba for Juma prayers.

Moreover, ban has also been imposed on usage of cassette players, sound system, CD/DVD players and other mediums for making all kinds of objectionable/sectarian related speeches and sermons at any place in Islamabad.

Besides, ban also imposed on usage of rough papers containing holy words, Quranic verses including such newspapers for wrapping, packaging, preserving the commodities in any form or any other similar uses.

The administration imposed a ban on stock, sale, purchase and use of fire crackers and fireworks in capital as there exists likelihood from a large number of persons to stock, sale, purchase and use of fire crackers and fireworks in Islamabad which is likely to disturb public peace.

Meanwhile, ban has also been imposed on digging out of stones through blasting in capital.

Besides, ban has also been imposed on any sort of publication regarding launching of non-registered housing schemes and subsequent sale of plots, inviting applications to deposit membership of fee or cost of plots in such hushing schemes, without observing all legal and codal formalities as envisaged in the laws applicable thereto unless prior permission is obtained from the office of the district magistrate, Islamabad.

Such societies, companies, trust, groups, etc. allure the public at large by advertising the launching of housing scheme in the newspapers, magazines, brochures and booklets and even through local sale.

They invite membership either in excess of the land available to them or without having any land at all.

This practice results into exploitation, fraud, forgery, disputes, offences, law and order problems and massive litigations in courts. Speculative transactions also emerge out of the situation which jeopardize the interest of the public and deprive it of its hard earned money, thus creating panic and anxiety in the society.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2023