Balochistan Bans Gatherings, Weapons and Face Coverings Province-Wide for 30 Days

Balochistan's government imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure across the entire province on September 23, 2026, banning public gatherings, the display of weapons and face coverings for 30 days, the third province-wide Section 144 order in Balochistan this year, The Express Tribune reported.

What the order actually bans

The notification, issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, prohibits the assembly of five or more people at any public place, a category that covers sit-ins, processions, rallies and demonstrations. It also bars the display, carrying, possession or use of weapons of any kind in public places, except where specifically authorised under the law, and prohibits covering or concealing one's face in public places, with masks, mufflers or any other means that prevent identification. District administrations and law-enforcement agencies have been directed to enforce the restrictions strictly, and violators will be proceeded against under the relevant provisions of the law.

The stated rationale

The home department cited reports of "the likelihood of activities and gatherings" that could affect public peace and law and order. Babar Yousafzai, adviser to the home department, announced the order on X on September 23 and said the measures were aimed at "maintaining public peace and tranquillity" and protecting citizens' lives and property. The order came as the military's media wing reported that security forces had killed 19 militants: 13 in a clearance operation in the Shaban area of Quetta district and six in Kech and Quetta West, according to Radio Pakistan. The notification itself does not cite those operations.

Not a one-off measure

This is the third province-wide Section 144 order in Balochistan this year. On May 17, 2026, the province imposed a 30-day order that banned gatherings of five or more, face coverings and the display of weapons, and also banned pillion riding, tinted vehicle windows and unregistered motorcycles. A separate province-wide order was imposed in June during Muharram as part of security arrangements, according to The Express Tribune.

How it differs from Punjab's order the same week

Balochistan's order came the same day as a separate Section 144 order in Punjab. Punjab's restriction bans gatherings of five or more from September 23 to October 5, and its home department cited intelligence that terrorist organisations could target rallies and demonstrations, 24 News reported. Punjab's order exempts weddings, funeral prayers, places of worship, courts and government institutions. Balochistan's order runs for 30 days.

Enforcement

The Balochistan notification, as reported, lists no exemptions for gatherings or face coverings, unlike Punjab's order. The provincial government has not published details of how the 30-day order will be enforced beyond the general directive to district administrations. Separately, Baloch rights groups have raised enforced disappearances with UN bodies this year.

What we don't yet know

It is not yet clear whether the order will be extended past its 30-day window or whether specific districts will see exemptions as security conditions change. Build Better Pakistan will update this piece if the provincial government amends or extends the notification.

Build Better Pakistan's Rights Desk tracks civil-liberties and security policy developments across Pakistan's provinces.