Section 144 in Karachi until 20 October: gatherings of more than five banned across the city

Updated Monday 12 October 2026: Section 144 is back in Karachi from 11 to 20 October. Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has imposed Section 144 across the Karachi Division from Sunday 11 October until Tuesday 20 October, banning any protest, demonstration, sit-in, rally, procession or other public gathering of more than five people, Dawn reported on Sunday night. Organising, convening or facilitating such a gathering is covered as well as taking part.

• Why: the notification cites protests and sit-ins on main roads, junctions and roundabouts that caused "serious security concerns", heavy traffic and blocked ambulances and hospital access, and the risk of a breakdown in law and order. It comes the day emergency and governor's rule were imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and as Rawalpindi is under a similar order until 8 November.
• What it does not do: markets, offices, schools and transport are not closed by the order, which targets gatherings. The Dawn report does not mention a pillion-riding ban for this order.
• Penalty: breaking 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.

Weddings, funerals and other private events in homes and halls are not public protests, but if you are organising a large event in a public place before 20 October, check with your local police station first.

Earlier order, 24 to 30 September 2026: 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).

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 works out the trip at today's petrol price.

Section 144 across Pakistan this week

For the capital's road closures and the mobile shutdown on 26 and 27 September, see what is shut in Islamabad.