Intelligence panels set to get more powers

The Punjab government has prepared a draft of legislation to provide enhanced powers to intelligence committees at the district, divisional and provincial levels to combat threats to public security.

According to the Punjab Home Department, the proposed Mehfooz Punjab Act 2025 is aimed at strengthening law and order in the province through the comprehensive legal framework designed to tighten the noose around disruptive elements while ensuring constitutional safeguards.

The draft law introduces sweeping changes to the existing security apparatus by empowering the intelligence committees with unprecedented authority.

Under the proposed act, individuals deemed threats to public order can be placed in preventive detention for up to 90 days.

The legislation also allows for blocking of passports and national identity cards of such persons, along with recommendations to freeze their bank accounts and place them on no-fly lists. In more severe cases, the committees may recommend seizure of immovable properties and forwarding cases to federal agencies for further action.

A three-tiered intelligence committee structure forms the backbone of the proposed system. At the provincial level, the committee will be headed by the Punjab home secretary and include the inspector general of police, special aecretary for interior, additional IG of special branch, additional IG of counter-terrorism department (CTD) and representatives from sensitive federal agencies.

The divisional committees will be led by the commissioners with representation from regional police officers, SP of apecial branch, divisional CTD officers and federal agencies' representatives. District committees will operate under deputy commissioners with district police officers, DSPs of special branch, CTD officers and federal representatives as members.

The draft legislation proposes strict penalties for violations, with imprisonment ranging from three to five years and fines worth Rs5 million to.Rs10 million for non-compliance with directives.

To ensure checks and balances, the act proposes the formation of a provincial review board headed by the Lahore High Court chief justice and comprising current or former judges. The board will oversee detentions exceeding three months, providing judicial oversight to prevent potential misuse of powers.

One of the most significant provisions involves the authority to proscribe organisations and list their members in the 'Fourth Schedule'.

The district intelligence committees will have powers equivalent to the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law of1960, but with an expanded scope and stricter enforcement mechanisms.