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

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.