Authorities in Dera Ismail Khan, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have imposed Section 144 across several areas of the district due to growing security concerns. The restrictions were announced by the district administration on Monday in an effort to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
According to Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan, the restrictions will remain in place from 6:00am to 6:00pm, during which the movement of passenger vehicles, cargo transport and motorcycles will be completely banned in designated sensitive areas. The administration said the measure was necessary due to the current security situation in the district.
Several major roads will remain closed during the restriction period. These include the Dera–Tank Road from Tariq Shaheed to Bhugowal, as well as Kulachi–Hathala Road, Kot Attal Road and Garah Abdullah Road. In addition, a number of link roads — including Tikwarah–Hathala Road, Pota Badh, Kanori–Garah Mohabbat, Chehkan village to Darbari, and the Pota–Kot Isa Khan link road — will also be shut to traffic.
Authorities have also ordered the closure of Pota Hathala Bazaar from morning until evening as part of the security measures. Officials said these steps are aimed at preventing any possible incidents and ensuring public safety.
However, emergency services such as ambulances, fire brigade vehicles and law enforcement agencies will be allowed to move during the restriction period. Citizens facing emergencies may also be permitted limited movement if they obtain approval from police or security officials.
Residents have been advised to carry identification documents at all times and cooperate with security personnel deployed in the area.
Officials said similar restrictions were previously imposed in parts of the district on February 28 as well. The latest security measures come amid increased tensions following an operation by Pakistani forces against militant hideouts in Nangarhar Province and Paktika Province in Afghanistan, after what authorities described as “unprovoked aggression” by Afghan Taliban fighters.
