Staff Reporter:Â
Quetta, August 1, 2025 — The Home Department of Balochistan has enforced Section 144 across the province for a period of 15 days, citing heightened security concerns and the need to maintain public order.
According to the official notification, the following activities are now strictly prohibited for the general public:
- Display or use of firearms
- Pillion riding (motorcycle double seat riding)
- Public gatherings of five or more people, including rallies, protests, and sit-ins
- Covering of faces in public spaces, whether through masks, scarves, or any other means of concealing identity
The notification clarifies that law enforcement personnel are exempt from these restrictions in the course of their duties.
This emergency measure comes into effect from August 1, 2025, and will remain valid for 15 days, unless extended or withdrawn earlier.
The ban on tinted windows in vehicles, previously ordered in line with a Supreme Court directive, also remains in place and fully enforceable across the province.
The move has stirred public debate, particularly around the restriction on face coverings, at a time when weather conditions and health concerns still drive mask usage. Authorities, however, stress that the measures are strictly preventive and aimed at deterring any potential unrest.
