The Islamabad administration has banned public gatherings and processions in the federal capital ahead of the rallies organised by civil society and political parties to mark Labour Day.
Section 144 that prohibits the assembly of four or more people in an area has been imposed in Islamabad. According to the law, every member of such ‘unlawful assembly’ can be booked for engaging in rioting.
Islamabad police tweeted that Section 144 is in force in Islamabad, adding that no rallies, protests, or processions could be held in the city.
اسلام آباد میں دفعہ 144 نافذ العمل ہے۔
اسلام آباد کی حدود میں کسی بھی جلسے، جلوس اور اجتماع کی اجازت نہیں ہے۔
قانون کی خلاف ورزی کرنے والوں کے خلاف بلا امتیاز قانونی کارروائی عمل میں لائی جائے گی ۔
فیض آباد اور دیگر راستوں سے اسلام آباد میں داخل ہونے والے شہریوں کو چیکنگ کے…
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) April 30, 2023
CONDEMNATION:
Members of the civil society in Islamabad have condemned the move, saying that there is no justification to ban peaceful protests on Labour Day.
A rights activist tweeted that banning public rallies on Labour Day without any justification is “unconstitutional”.
“You cannot impose this section unconstitutionally and stifle peaceful political expression on labor day,” she added.
you cannot impose this section unconstitutionally and stifle peaceful political expression on labor day. this is excessive and poorly reasoned. koi waja tau bataayein. @CMShehbaz https://t.co/OiVFOPQuB9
— Zoya Rehman (@pind_wave) May 1, 2023
Another social media user condemned the move, saying that no authority has the right to curb the rallies on Labour Day that demand equal rights for everyone.
“So workers are not allowed to even assemble peacefully,” she said.
So workers are not allowed to even assemble peacefully… No authority has the power to curb the peaceful protest for struggling a dignified life for all..
Shame on @ICT_Police #MayDay2023 #InternationalWorkersDay https://t.co/1R7E0p5acr
— Marvi Latifi #ClimateActionNow (@Marvi_S90) May 1, 2023
Another social media user said that the state is “anti-people” for imposing a ban on public gatherings on Labour Day.
anti-people insecure state that imposes section 144 on Labour Day during soaring inflation and a crashing rupee. Such tactics are useless when you start to lose legitimacy in the eyes of the people https://t.co/oyKKeqgYF6
— Sana (@sanamalalai) May 1, 2023
The Islamabad police have faced growing criticism from human rights activists for using excessive force to crack down on dissent.
Islamabad police detained and assaulted veteran leftist activist Ismat Raza Shahjahan along with scores of people for their protest against Capital Development Authority (CDA) over demolition of katchi abadis (informal settlements) which rendered residents homeless. While Ismat was released after a few hours, other arrestees remain in police custody without registration of a First Information Report (FIR). Later, the police registered FIR against the protesters, charging them with “attempted murder”.
