LAHORE THE Punjab government has promulgated Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Ordinance 2015 on Thursday to collect the data about all tenants residing in rented houses or hostels and those who visit hotels and guest houses for a short stay. After the approval of Punjab Governor Muhammad Sarwar, Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department issued the gazette notification. The purpose of the ordinance is to keep an eye on the activities of militants and terrorists. The police would maintain a database of all the tenants and guests by categorising them in a prescribed manner. The information received under this manner would not be used for any other purpose except for prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of offences of terrorism and other offences under Pakistan Penal Code 1860. As per the Ordinance, property dealer, landlord and tenant would provide required information to the police through fastest means of communication within 48 hours of the time of delivery of possession of the rented premises to the tenant. Moreover, the owner or manager of a hotel and guest house would provide the information to the police within three hours after the arrival or check-in of a guest. The landlord, manager or property dealer would not allow any tenant or guest to stay at the rented premises, hostel or hotel unless he is satisfied about the identification of the tenant or guest on the basis of computerised national identity card or passport of the tenant or guest and would obtain the copies of ID card or passport of a tenant or guest. Moreover, landlord, manager and the property dealer will ensure that the tenant or guest is not carrying any weapon or explosives other than a licenced weapon. They will have to keep an entry of any licenced weapon being carried by tenant or guest. If a person intentionally violates the provisions of sections 3,4,5 and 8 or fails to allow access to premises or provide information to the police under section 7 or section 10, would be liable to punishment of the imprisonment which may extend to six months and fine which shall not be less than Rs10,000 and more than Rs100,000. Moreover, an offence under this Ordinance would be cognizable and non-bailable. A magistrate of first class would conduct the trial of an offence under this Ordinance. The government or an authorised officer could compound the offence at any stage under this Ordinance, if an accused pay the penalty not less than Rs10,000. However, the offence under this Ordinance would not be compoundable if the accused had already been convicted under this Ordinance or his previous offence had been compounded by the government.
