Human Lives Human Rights: The enactment of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 signals yet another aggressive assault on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Pakistan, a nation with a troubling history of implementing draconian laws to criminalize peaceful protests and stifle dissenting voices.
Rather than aligning its existing repressive legal framework with international human rights law and standards, the Government of Pakistan hastily ensured the passage of this new bill through both houses of Parliament, obtaining Presidential assent within just a week of the bill being introduced. This law significantly broadens the authority of officials to restrict or outright ban assemblies in Islamabad under vague grounds like “disruption of daily activities.” Notably, it elevates the maximum punishment for participating in an “unlawful assembly” from six months to an imposing three years of imprisonment.
While this law currently applies solely to the Islamabad Capital Territory, its chilling ramifications are expected to resonate far beyond the capital, setting a perilous precedent that provincial governments may follow across the country. The law directly threatens civil society groups, activists, and political opponents, emphasizing the urgent need for their timely consultation during any future legislative processes. Furthermore, it is imperative that the right to peacefully assemble remains protected, particularly in proximity to government buildings and politically significant sites.
The Pakistani government must take immediate action to repeal the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, as well as to amend other existing laws that impose blanket bans on assemblies and enforce restrictive conditions that blatantly violate the country’s international human rights commitments. Any restrictions on assemblies should adhere strictly to the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality.
Background
The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill was introduced in the Senate of Pakistan on September 2, 2024, and was approved by the Senate Standing Committee just one day later. It swiftly passed through both the Senate and National Assembly over the next two days, despite significant opposition from various political parties. The bill received Presidential assent with alarming speed by the end of that week.
