Pakistan’s Punjab Province Proposes Longer Ban on Public Gatherings
In Lahore, Pakistan’s Punjab Province has recently proposed an amendment to extend the duration of the ban on public gatherings, rallies, and protests from two days to 90 days. This amendment was tabled in the Provincial Assembly by the Provincial Minister for Finance, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman.
Details of the Amendment
The proposed amendment aims to increase the powers of the Deputy Commissioner to extend the ban on public gatherings for up to 30 days. Additionally, the Secretary of the Home Department could impose the ban for as long as 90 days. This would amend the existing Code of Criminal Procedure 1898.
Currently, the law allows the Punjab provincial government to impose Section 144 for a maximum of two days, extendable up to seven days unless there is a threat to human life, health, or safety. The power to impose Section 144 currently lies with the Mayor, based on a written recommendation from the police.
Concerns and Justifications
The proposed amendments would centralize power to the Deputy Commissioner or the Secretary of the Home Department, removing the existing checks and balances. This has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms and the devolution of powers.
Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman justified the extension, stating that constantly asking for prior approval is neither desirable nor practicable. He argued that the amendment aims to address grave and emergent situations that endanger public peace and order.
Historical Context
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Pakistan 1898 allows the district government to ban all types of gatherings, rallies, and protests for specific periods. However, it has been misused to criminalize politics and punish political opponents, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf.
In 2022, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan released a report titled, “Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Pakistan,” which referred to Section 144 as an “unchecked authority.” The proposed bill has been referred to a committee of the Punjab Assembly for further scrutiny.
In recent times, Pakistan has seen curtailed freedoms regarding internet access and the right to peaceful assembly. The move to expand the duration of the ban on public gatherings would further erode these democratic traditions.
Doubts Revealed
Punjab Province -: Punjab Province is a region in Pakistan, not to be confused with the Indian state of Punjab. It is one of the four provinces of Pakistan.
public gatherings -: Public gatherings are events where many people come together in one place, like rallies, protests, or festivals.
amendment -: An amendment is a change or addition to a law or rule. In this case, it means changing the rules about how long public gatherings can be banned.
Deputy Commissioner -: A Deputy Commissioner is an important government official in a district who has various administrative powers, including maintaining law and order.
Secretary of the Home Department -: The Secretary of the Home Department is a high-ranking official in charge of internal security and public safety in a province.
Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman -: Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman is a politician in Pakistan who is responsible for managing the province’s finances and budget.
democratic freedoms -: Democratic freedoms are the rights that allow people to express their opinions, gather in groups, and participate in government decisions. These are important in a democracy.
