Heavy fines proposed for rallies in red zone

The provincial government has prepared “The Punjab High Security Zones (Establishment) Bill 2020” proposing maximum imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to Rs1 million for holding, attempting to hold or participating in rallies, protests and all activities relating to demonstrations for political or any other purpose in such an area.

The government took the step after a writ petition was filed by senior Advocate Azhar Siddique in Lahore High Court. Justice Jawad Hassan was hearing the petition.

The petitioner contended that all political activities had been banned on The Mall but most of the time protesters were seen on the road.

It was prayed that there was a need to bring specific legislation to avoid such activities.

The government had earlier presented a bill before the court but several objections were raised by the petitioner’s counsel. After that a committee was formed to make the draft more viable. Now the government representatives have submitted a new draft.

The draft also envisages that “those who will hold, attempt to hold or abet in holding of, or participate in public rallies, sit-in, protests, jalsas, political gatherings including all activities relating to demonstrations for political or any other purpose, in non-designated area, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year nor more than two years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to Rs500,000.”

The punishment proposed for the activities in a designated area without permission of the deputy commissioner is imprisonment for up to six months, Rs100,000 fine or both.

The offence under the bill shall be cognisable and non-bailable.

On an application seven days prior to a gathering, the deputy commissioner, on the recommendation of district police and subject to payment of fee and execution of agreement as prescribed.

The bill defines as High Security Zone an area which is banned for any demonstration or assembly of any kind posing threat to the security of a sensitive installation.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2020.