Section 144 Bannu, Lakki Marwat Curbs for One Month
A Section 144 Bannu order is now in force for one month, as authorities in Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts banned public gatherings, protests and several other activities over security concerns.
The district administrations issued separate notifications on November 14 and 15. Both orders said the curbs were needed to maintain public peace and to keep traffic and the movement of people free from disruption.
In Lakki Marwat, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Rafique imposed the restrictions from November 14 to December 13, acting on a report from the district police officer about the law and order situation and the risk of public gatherings, processions and marches.
The order said such activities were likely to “obstruct the free movement of the general public, disrupt public services and traffic, disturb peace and tranquility”. It banned public gatherings, processions, rallies, assemblies and marches, along with pillion riding and the display, carrying or possession of weapons of all kinds.
It also banned tents and temporary structures on public roads, highways and other public places where they could block movement or traffic.
In Bannu, Deputy Commissioner Ziaur-Rehman imposed Section 144 from November 15 to December 13, also acting on concerns raised by the district police officer. The Bannu order banned pillion riding, tinted vehicle windows, the brandishing of weapons, public gatherings for protests and the use of loudspeakers on roads. It also barred tents and obstructions on public roads and highways.
Both notifications warned that violations would be punishable under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Section 144 Bannu follows earlier curbs
Bannu has faced similar curbs before. The district imposed Section 144 from November 1 to 7 to secure an anti-polio campaign, when teams set out to vaccinate 228,000 children under five across 57 union councils. That order also banned weapons display, pillion riding and tinted windows, after attacks on polio teams and police in the past.
The latest order is wider in scope and runs for a full month. It comes as southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa faces a sharp rise in attacks on police and security personnel.
Attacks on police drove the decision
Recent attacks have raised security concerns across the province. On November 11, ten police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred and 18 terrorists were killed after a police team came under attack in Kohat district.
Two days later, four terrorists were killed when Bannu police repulsed an attack on the Kingar Pul checkpoint.
In separate intelligence-based operations in North Waziristan on November 14, two soldiers were martyred and 16 terrorists, including two Afghan nationals, were killed.
The security situation has worsened over the past two years. Terrorist incidents in the province rose by 195 per cent between March 2024 and September 2026, according to reports presented to the federal cabinet.
Curbs spread across the province
Bannu and Lakki Marwat are not the only districts under restrictions. Authorities banned political gatherings in Bajaur for 30 days on Sunday, citing the same law and order concerns. Pishin banned gatherings under Section 144 in October, and Dera Ismail Khan has also restricted pillion riding under the same law.
The pattern shows district administrations leaning on Section 144 as a routine tool while security forces press operations against militant groups. In Peshawar, an anti-terrorism court has also moved to declare Chief Minister Sohail Afridi a proclaimed offender in the Radio Pakistan attack case, a sign of the political strain running alongside the security pressure.
What happens next
The orders run until December 13 in both districts. Police will enforce the bans, and cases can be registered against violators under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Whether the curbs ease after that date will depend on the security picture in southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. For now, residents of both districts face a month without public gatherings, rallies or pillion riding.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Section 144 in force?
In Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, under separate orders issued on November 14 and 15.
How long will the restrictions last?
One month in both districts, until December 13.
What is banned under the orders?
Public gatherings, processions, rallies and marches, pillion riding, the display or carrying of weapons, tinted vehicle windows in Bannu, and tents or obstructions on public roads.
What happens to violators?
Violations are punishable under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Why were the curbs imposed?
District officials cited the law and order situation, after a series of attacks on police and security personnel in the province.
