Sept 4, 2024
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE:
On Tuesday, September 3, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior approved the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024, which seeks to regulate peaceful gatherings in the federal capital of Islamabad.
The bill aims to streamline the process for obtaining permission to hold both political and non-political gatherings. It designates specific areas for such events and outlines penalties for illegal assemblies. Under the proposed legislation, participants in an illegal assembly could face up to three years in prison, with repeat offenders subject to a 10-year sentence.
The bill received support from the Pakistan People’s Party, Balochistan Awami Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, and Awami National Party. However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposed the bill, criticizing it as an attempt to hinder their political activities.
According to the draft bill, district magistrates would be responsible for evaluating the prevailing law and order situation and obtaining security clearance from law enforcement agencies before granting permission for assemblies. Organisers must submit a written request to the district magistrate at least seven days prior to the event. If the reasons for the assembly are deemed inadequate, the magistrate may deny permission.
The bill grants district magistrates the authority to ban assemblies, with the power to direct police officers to disperse them. Police will also have the authority to arrest and detain participants of illegal assemblies.
The bill requires that assemblies must be held in government-designated areas. The magistrate can also amend permits based on national security risks, threats of violence, or public disorder. The government may declare specific areas of Islamabad as red zones or high-security zones where assemblies would be restricted.
Any ban on an assembly will be communicated in writing, and affected individuals will have 15 days to appeal the decision.
During the Senate meeting on September 2, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar defended the bill, stating, “The life of a person should not be affected by public meetings and processions. Space will be allocated for those who wish to participate in public processions in Islamabad. The bill is reasonable.”
Opposition leader Shibli Faraz criticised the bill, asserting, “The bill is malicious and aimed at stopping PTI meetings. We will oppose it.”
PTI senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar labelled the bill as a malicious act of parliament.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan issued a statement expressing concern over the bill. “This bill violates the right to freedom of peaceful assembly under Article 16 of the constitution. If passed, it could be used against political opposition and human rights activists. We strongly urge the Standing Committee on Law and Justice to reject the bill.”