The Punjab provincial government of Pakistan has imposed a 13-day ban on public gatherings across the province ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s planned long march to Islamabad on 27 September, local media reported on Thursday. The order also entails road and business closures in and around Attock and Rawalpindi, and the deployment of Rangers paramilitary forces across four districts.

What the Crackdown Order Says

According to the official notification issued by the Punjab government, gatherings, processions, and assemblies of five or more people have been prohibited at public places, roads, and open spaces across the province for 13 days. The order additionally bans carrying and displaying weapons, as well as encouraging or inciting participation in unlawful gatherings, according to reports citing Pakistan-based daily The Express Tribune.

The notification carves out exceptions for weddings, funeral prayers, burials, and gatherings at mosques and other places of worship. Authorities reportedly justified the ban by citing intelligence inputs about an imminent security threat, with militant groups allegedly planning attacks on public gatherings.

PTI Leaders and Imran Khan's Family Detained

The ban follows a broader crackdown in which the Punjab government has detained several PTI leaders, workers, and relatives of party founder Imran Khan on various grounds. On Monday, Imran Khan's three sisters — Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi, and Uzma Khan — were arrested following a 30-day detention order issued by the Lahore Deputy Commissioner under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

A petition challenging these detention orders was subsequently filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) by Shahraiz Khan, son of Aleema Khan, requesting their immediate release. The petition argued that the detention order was illegal and unlawful, alleging that Aleema Khan was arrested while travelling with her driver for personal work, with no public gathering or public-order situation as justification. Aleema Khan was reportedly detained along with her driver, Muhammad Ameer.

Imran Khan's Son Speaks Out on X

Imran Khan's son, Kasim Khan, condemned the arrests of his aunts and cousins in a post on X, calling the actions 'a disgrace' and 'criminal behaviour.' In his post, Kasim Khan stated, 'This is a disgrace. Now my Aunts Dr. Uzma and Noreen, along with my cousins Shershah and Shahrez have now been abducted as well. They have broken into my aunties and cousins houses and forced them into vehicles with no explanation. No reasons for arrest have been stated.'

He added, 'No news has been released as to where they have been taken. This is criminal behaviour. Inexcusable. The Pakistani people are petrified of their own leaders. No upstanding nation should tolerate this criminal establishment. Intervention is now imperative. The world MUST take action.' Kasim Khan urged the international community to intervene, calling the situation critical.

Context: A Pattern of Pre-March Clampdowns

This is not the first time Pakistani authorities have moved against PTI in the run-up to a major mobilisation. The party has faced repeated legal and administrative pressure since Imran Khan's arrest in 2023, with its rallies and long marches routinely met with Section 144 orders, container blockades, and paramilitary deployments. The detention of Khan's family members, however, marks a notable escalation — one that has drawn sharp reactions from supporters and international observers alike.

As the 27 September deadline approaches, the situation in Punjab and Islamabad remains tense, with both the government and PTI signalling no intention to back down.