Amid PTI protest: NA passes bills on public order, election law changes

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday passed the private member bill, “The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024,” by a majority vote amid protests from the PTI-led opposition.

The Senate had already adopted “The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024” on Thursday with a majority voice vote, despite opposition from the PTI.

In addition, the National Assembly also passed “The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024” by a majority voice vote, a bill that had already been approved by the Senate.

Following the passage of both “The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024” and “The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024” by both houses of parliament, the bills will now be sent to President Asif Ali Zardari for final approval to become acts of parliament.

Earlier, the absence of federal ministers during the question hour irked the speaker of the National Assembly, who suspended the sitting until the arrival of the ministers.

Later, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar arrived at the National Assembly, and the session resumed.

In Friday’s National Assembly session, PMLN legislator from Rawalpindi, Daniyal Chaudhry, moved “The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024” to regulate public processions in Islamabad.

The opposition opposed the bill, calling it an authoritarian move.

In response, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that large gatherings often “besiege” the federal capital, and the growing number of processions had made life difficult for the city’s residents.

Additionally, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Elections Act, 2017—the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024—which was introduced by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazeer Tarar. The bill had already been passed by the Senate a few days earlier.

While briefing the lawmakers, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had requested amendments to Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017, to remove the acronym “FATA” following the merger of FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the right to assemble peacefully is a fundamental right, but it is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order, morality, and state security.

Under the provisions of The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024, an event coordinator must apply in writing to the district magistrate at least seven days before the planned assembly. If the application is submitted late, the district magistrate may reject it unless the event coordinator provides valid reasons.

The district magistrate is responsible for assessing the law and order and obtaining security clearance from law enforcement agencies before granting permission. Assemblies will only be allowed in designated areas, and the magistrate may demand a surety bond from the coordinator to ensure peace and security during the event.

The district magistrate also has the authority to refuse or revoke permission for assemblies if there are security risks, public order concerns, or violations of conditions. Additionally, the government may designate specific areas in Islamabad as “Red Zones” or “High-Security Zones” where assemblies are prohibited.

Assemblies that proceed without permission or defy dispersal orders may be broken up by police, and participants can face arrest. Those found guilty of organising or participating in unlawful assemblies could face up to three years in prison, with repeat offenders facing up to 10 years.

Furthermore, the government reserves the right to make additional rules for implementing the Act through official notifications.

In the meantime, Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada assured steps would be taken to expedite the completion of Federal Government Employees Housing Authority projects, which have been delayed for an extended period.

Responding to a call attention notice from Shagufta Jumani and others regarding the delays in handing over apartments in Residencia, G-13, and plots in F-14, F-15, Bhara Kahu, and Park Road, the minister expressed regret over the delays, attributing them to various factors, including court cases and land disputes.

Pirzada assured the assembly that efforts would be made to ensure landowners receive fair market prices and that possession of the properties would be handed over to the allottees as soon as possible.