LAHORE: Over 1,000 people have been arrested across the province under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance, Punjab Home Department said on Saturday.



Among the 1,135 people arrested is Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who has been detained under three sections of the MPO ordinance, said a notification issued here earlier today.

Ninety-five people were arrested from Lahore alone, the home department said. Those arrested under the three sections of the MPO ordinance will be detained for 30 days, in view of the threat they pose to the public’s safety, peace and order, the notification added.

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 province-wide which will be in effect till December 1st. Rallies, demonstrations as well as any congregations of five or more people are banned under the section.

Use or display of any kind of weapons is also prohibited.

Late on Friday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that Khadim Hussain Rizvi had been taken into protective custody by the police, after the TLP chief refused to withdraw his call for protest in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh on November 25th.

"They insisted to come to Rawalpindi refusing governments proposal for alternative arrangements. It’s to safeguard public life, property and order and has to do nothing with Asia Bibi case," Chaudhry said.

The information minister requested the citizens to remain peaceful and cooperate with the authorities.

"The TLP has become a threat to the life and properties of the people of Pakistan and continues to do its politics under the cover of religion," he said.

The minister added that the government "did it[s] best" to convince the party against convening for the protest, "but they refused every offer and started to provoke violence".