The National Assembly of Pakistan has followed the Senate’s lead by approving the much-debated ‘Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024’. This bill, aimed at regulating public gatherings and assemblies in Islamabad, ahead of the highly anticipated PTI rally scheduled for September 8. The bill was introduced by PML-N’s MNA Danyal Chaudhry under a supplementary agenda as a private member’s bill, bypassing the usual committee review process after Speaker Ayaz Sadiq suspended standard parliamentary rules.
The ‘Peaceful Assembly’ bill, now awaiting the president’s approval, proposes strict measures to control unauthorized public gatherings. Under this legislation, participants in unauthorized assemblies could face up to three years of imprisonment. Moreover, individuals committing offenses during such gatherings may be handed jail terms of up to ten years. The bill specifies Sangjani, a suburb of Islamabad, as one of the potential designated venues for such meetings. A government notification will be issued for every designated assembly point.
According to the provisions of the Peaceful Assembly bill, those wishing to hold a public meeting must submit a formal application to the deputy commissioner at least seven days before the event. The application must detail key aspects such as the location, time, objective, and estimated number of participants. In case the application is denied, the coordinator has the right to appeal to the chief commissioner, with an option for a final review by the home secretary. However, even after securing permission, authorities retain the right to disperse any gathering if public safety becomes a concern.
The opposition, particularly PTI’s Jamshed Dasti, voiced strong objections during the session, pointing out the lack of quorum during the vote. However, the Speaker deemed the house in order after a headcount, despite the protests. Treasury members celebrated the passage of the bill with desk-thumping.
Another important feature of the bill is that law enforcement agencies, in coordination with the district magistrate, will play a central role in maintaining public order. The magistrate has been empowered to deny or revoke permissions for assemblies if the event poses a threat to national security, public safety, or the overall peace of the city. Any unauthorized peaceful assembly outside designated areas will be subject to legal penalties, and the police will be authorized to forcibly disperse such gatherings if they disrupt the peace.
The bill also empowers the government to declare specific zones in Islamabad as red zones or high-security areas where public meetings will be strictly prohibited. The district magistrate will hold the power to instruct the police to take action, including forceful dispersion of gatherings that refuse to disband despite orders.
While PTI’s planned September 8 , 2024 rally in Islamabad is reportedly still permitted under the new bill, opposition leaders, including PTI’s Barrister Ali Zafar, expressed concerns that the legislation was designed to curb the party’s peaceful assembly. Barrister Ali Zafar argued that the bill suspends standard parliamentary rules and was specifically brought forward to hinder PTI’s right to assembly. In response, Senator Irfanul Haq Siddiqui of PML-N defended the bill, emphasizing that the legislation was not aimed at preventing any particular event, including PTI’s rally, but was essential for maintaining public order.
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The Senate had already passed a similar bill, proposing up to three years imprisonment for participants in unauthorized public assemblies. The Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Saleem Rehman, approved the bill with a majority vote of 6-1, and it was passed without delay. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar confirmed that PTI’s rally scheduled for September 8 would not be affected by this new legislation, at least for now.
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The passing of the Peaceful Assembly bill has sparked political debate, with PTI leaders continuing to criticize the government’s intentions. Nonetheless, the legislation represents a pivotal step in how public gatherings will be regulated in the capital city, with a focus on balancing the right to assemble with the need to maintain law and order.
