Legislators from Pakistan’s ruling party have proposed a new bill aimed at giving officials in Islamabad more control over public rallies and gatherings.
The bill, known as the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024, was introduced in the Senate, which is the upper house of Pakistan’s parliament, on Monday. This move comes just a week before the main opposition party, led by the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was scheduled to hold a rally in the city.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is gearing up for a major rally in Islamabad today, even as the new Public Order and Peaceful Assembly Bill 2024 looms over the event.
The bill, signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday, adds a new layer of complexity to the political scene. Despite this, PTI is moving forward with its plans. The party has been busy preparing for the rally, with leaders like Barrister Gohar, Omer Ayub, and Asad Qaiser overseeing the setup at a location near the Sangjani Cattle Market.
The Islamabad district administration has given its approval by issuing a no-objection certificate (NOC), which means the PTI rally can proceed as planned.
Barrister Gohar Khan addressed the media at the rally site, stating that PTI will hold a peaceful rally and called on authorities not to create obstacles. He emphasized that the rally is important for the public, votes, and true freedom.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser, along with PKMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, held a press conference at the rally location on Saturday. Qaiser described the rally as a historic event for the capital and urged all Pakistanis, especially those from the twin cities, to attend. He encouraged people to come to the rally even if they have to walk and overcome obstacles.
Qaiser also warned that the government might try to create problems for the PTI rally but insisted that supporters should attend no matter what. He criticized the government for trying to influence the judiciary and urged bar councils to join the protests to protect their rights. He accused the government of pushing the country towards chaos.
The PTI has instructed its workers and supporters to gather at the rally venue by 2pm. Organizing a successful rally has been challenging for PTI, especially after the last-minute cancellation of the August 22 rally, which caused internal issues within the party.
The new Public Order and Peaceful Assembly Bill 2024, which President Zardari signed into law on Saturday, introduces strict penalties for holding unauthorized gatherings in Islamabad. Those who violate the law could face up to three years in prison and fines. Despite strong opposition, the bill passed both the Senate and the National Assembly before becoming law.
