MQM submits resolution against Pakistan Protection Ordinance

The ordinance allows officials to use force against any person who they consider is likely to commit an offence.

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) submitted a resolution against the Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO) in the Sindh Assembly on Monday, reported Express News. 

Earlier, MQM leader Nabeel Gabol said the PPO usurped democratic rights, adding “We will not allow any law against the democratic norms.”

The ordinance, which allows law enforcement officials to use force against, and arrest without warrant, any person who they consider is likely to commit a scheduled offence, was approved by President Mamnoon Hussain on October 20. It was presented in the National Assembly on November 7.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was the first to reject the ordinance. Following a debate over the inflated prices of essential commodities, the lower house started a debate on law and order.

In 2013, SPO representatives presented a comparative analysis of the PPO 2013 with the Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The analysis showed the PPO 2013 violated Article 9 and 10 (1) of the Constitution by allowing law enforcement officials to fire even on apprehension of scheduled offences and arrest without warrant on reasonable suspicion.