# Section 144 in Karachi until 30 September: gatherings of more than 5 banned

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/section-144-in-karachi-until-30-september-gatherings-of-more-than-5-banned)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable
Published: 25 Sept 2026
Updated: 25 Sept 2026
Retrieved: 30 Sept 2026

> Commissioner Hassan Naqvi has banned protests, rallies and sit-ins across the city for a week, with similar orders in Hyderabad and Sukkur. What is allowed and what is not.

Karachi is under Section 144 until Wednesday, 30 September. Commissioner Hassan Naqvi signed the order on 24 September, banning any gathering of more than five people across the city: protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies, processions and public assemblies are all covered. Similar orders apply in Hyderabad and Sukkur until 29 September.

## What is banned in Karachi

- Any assembly of more than five people in a public place.
- Protests, demonstrations and sit-ins, including on roads, junctions and roundabouts.
- Rallies and processions.

The order runs from 24 to 30 September. Violating a Section 144 order is an offence under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and police can disperse a gathering and arrest those taking part.

## Why now

The commissioner's order cites police letters reporting protests, sit-ins and rallies on major roads, junctions and roundabouts that were causing heavy congestion, blocking ambulances and hospital access, and raising security concerns. It comes days before PTI's march on Sunday, 27 September, and matches bans elsewhere in the country: a 13-day order in Punjab, two months in Islamabad and 30 days across Balochistan ([Balochistan details](/news/pakistan/section-144-in-balochistan-until-22-october)).

## What it means for you in Karachi

- **Daily life carries on.** Markets, offices, schools and transport are not closed by this order. It targets gatherings, not movement.
- **Public places are the target:** the order names protests, sit-ins, rallies, processions and public assemblies.
- **Commuting:** if a protest does form despite the ban, police often block roads around it. Leave extra time and follow Karachi Traffic Police updates.

If you are heading out of the city this weekend, our [fuel cost calculator](/tools/cars/fuel-cost-calculator) works out the trip at today's [petrol price](/data/petrol-price).

## Section 144 across Pakistan this week

| Area | Until |
|---|---|
| Karachi | 30 September |
| Hyderabad, Sukkur | 29 September |
| Balochistan (whole province) | 22 October |
| Islamabad | two months from 23 September |

For the capital's road closures and the mobile shutdown on 26 and 27 September, see [what is shut in Islamabad](/news/pakistan/m-1-and-m-14-shut-22-universities-online-islamabad-before-ptis-27-september-marc).

## Frequently asked questions

**How long is Section 144 in Karachi?**

From 24 to 30 September 2026, under an order by Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi. Gatherings of more than five people, protests, rallies and sit-ins are banned.

## Sources

- Authorities impose Section 144 in Karachi, ban gatherings of more than 5 people till Sept 30 (Dawn): https://www.dawn.com/news/2032391/authorities-impose-section-144-in-karachi-ban-gatherings-of-more-than-5-people-till-sept-30
- Section 144 imposed in Karachi (The Express Tribune): https://tribune.com.pk/story/2536177/section-144-imposed-in-karachi

How to cite: "Section 144 in Karachi until 30 September: gatherings of more than 5 banned", Searchable, 25 Sept 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/section-144-in-karachi-until-30-september-gatherings-of-more-than-5-banned