While the Punjab cabinet has the authority to impose the ban for longer than 90 days in the event of a major law and order scenario, the home secretary now has the authority to implement Section 144 in any district or throughout the province for a maximum of 90 days.
The Punjab Amendment to Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, was approved by the provincial assembly and then published in the gazette.
In the past, the deputy commissioners relied on the home secretary to warn them of a ban on protests, assemblies, rallies, sit-ins, and pillion riding in the event of a law and order emergency. This step has delegated authority.
Before President Pervez Musharraf took over two decades ago, the deputy commissioners held this power.
