ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has given his assent to the contentious ‘Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024,’ which aims to regulate public gatherings in Islamabad, turning it into law less than a week after it was introduced in the Senate.
The bill, which empowers the district magistrate to regulate and prohibit public gatherings in the capital, was presented in the Senate on September 2, swiftly approved by the relevant standing committee on September 3, and passed by the Senate on September 5 following the suspension of standard rules — a move criticized by the opposition as a “tyranny of fake majority.” It then passed through the National Assembly on September 6 amidst protests and received presidential assent within hours.
According to the Constitution, the president has 10 days to sign a bill passed by parliament or return it for reconsideration. The new law includes penalties of up to three years in prison and/or unspecified fines for those involved in “unlawful assemblies.” Repeat offenders could face up to ten years in prison.
The law requires organizers of public events to submit a written application to the district magistrate at least seven days before the event. Before granting permission, the magistrate will evaluate the law and order situation and obtain security clearance from law enforcement agencies.
The government is also empowered to designate specific areas in Islamabad as ‘red zones’ or ‘high security zones,’ prohibiting all assemblies in those areas. The law defines an assembly as any public or political gathering, rally, sit-in, or procession of more than 15 people in public spaces.
Opposition Criticism
Opposition lawmakers have condemned the bill, claiming it targets the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) specifically, intending to obstruct the party’s planned power show on September 8 in Islamabad. Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz criticized the expedited passage of the bill, arguing that it was politically motivated and aimed at curbing the PTI’s rising popularity. He further accused the government of undermining fundamental rights, including the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, to protect its interests.
