Public gatherings would be banned in Balochistan for the next two weeks due to security concerns, caretaker provincial Information Minister Jan Achakzai said on Friday.

In a statement, he said that Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) – under which gathering of more than four people are banned. This law allows the district administration to issue orders in the public interest. These orders may ban a specific activity for a designated period.

The embargo would be in effect till the day after February 8 when the people in the country of 241 million would exercise their right to vote.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is considered the frontrunner in the elections, but rival PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has vowed to give a tough time to his opponent trying to become prime minister for the fourth time.

The provincial information minister added that all institutions concerned have been ordered to ensure the safety of people during the two weeks.

A no-objection certificate (NOC) from the deputy commissioner in Quetta should be mandatory for any gathering including public gatherings for election campaigns, Achakzai said, adding: “Law and order is the priority of the government.”