LAHORE:  The Punjab government has announced a seven-day extension of Section 144 across the province, continuing the ban on public gatherings, protests, rallies, and assemblies.

The Punjab Home Department issued a notification announcing that the restrictions will remain in place until Saturday, November 22.

Under the notification, all public gatherings—including protests, rallies, processions, sit-ins, and meetings—are prohibited. Section 144 also restricts the assembly of four or more people at public places.

A spokesperson clarified that the display of any type of weapons, use of loudspeakers, and dissemination of provocative, hateful, or sectarian material is completely banned. Loudspeakers may only be used for the call to prayer (Azaan) and Friday sermons.

According to the Home Department, this decision was taken for the establishment of law and order, protection of human lives and property.

The spokesman said that the ban will not apply to wedding ceremonies, funerals and burials, while officers and officials on official duties and courts are exempted from the ban.

According to the spokesman, in view of the security threats, processions and sit-ins can be a soft target for terrorists, miscreants can take advantage of the public protest to carry out anti-state activities.