The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have strongly condemned the proposed Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill 2026, warning that it grants sweeping powers to the executive without adequate judicial oversight or due-process safeguards. The bill, approved by the Punjab Assembly's Standing Committee on Home Affairs, is headed for a vote in the provincial legislature.
Stormy Session in Punjab Assembly
The Punjab Assembly witnessed a stormy session on Sunday, dominated by sharp criticism of the proposed bill. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan expressed surprise and ignorance about the bill, voicing serious concern over its procedural handling. He stated that no bill could be referred to a committee without the speaker's signature and termed the revival of colonial-era legislation unacceptable. Opposition MPA Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan argued that the proposed legislation violated fundamental human rights and could affect future generations.
HRCP's Concerns
In a statement issued on X, the HRCP said the proposed legislation could allow authorities to impose intrusive restrictions on individuals, including surveillance, limits on freedom of movement, interference with property, and curbs on freedom of expression and speech. The commission emphasized that such measures must comply with constitutional principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality, rather than reflecting archaic and repressive colonial-era laws. HRCP announced plans to hold consultations with multiple stakeholders, including lawmakers, to build strong opposition against the bill.
PTI's Condemnation
PTI Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram also condemned the bill in a post on X, calling it a "repressive colonial relic and a grave assault on fundamental rights, due process, and democratic governance." He noted that the bill grants committees open-ended authority to add new categories of anti-social behaviour without legislative oversight. Akram argued that a judicial system already plagued by delays and police overreach allows punitive administrative sanctions based on unproven allegations, enabling political victimisation of opponents, journalists, activists, and citizens. He compared the bill to the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, saying it revives "colonial instruments" of repression under the guise of tackling modern challenges.
Government's Stance
Akram rubbished the PML-N government's claim that the legislation aims to combat hooliganism and online abuse by replacing the outdated 1959 law. He accused the provincial government of "covertly introducing surveillance and pre-emptive punishment while maintaining the guise of progressive governance." PTI views this as another example of the PML-N's authoritarian drift in Punjab to stifle dissent and bypass constitutional protections. Akram called on the legal fraternity, civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, and citizens to oppose its passage, stressing that genuine security requires accountable institutions, fair trials, and respect for rights.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill introduces stricter punishments and heavy fines. A first-time conviction may result in imprisonment from three to five years, while habitual offenders and repeat violators may face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to Rs2 million. National identity cards (CNICs) and bank accounts may be blocked. Law enforcement agencies are empowered to freeze and block CNICs and bank accounts of anti-social elements, carry out digital monitoring of criminals, permit modern electronic surveillance, and collect biometric and digital data of suspects. Displaying weapons on social media, aerial firing, impersonating government officials, and harassment also face strict punishment under the law.
Legal Expert Opinion
Supreme Court Advocate Saeed Yousaf Khan, an expert in criminal law, said amendments to the 1959 Goonda Act aim to make the law more effective. He stated that the legislation would enable strict action against hooliganism, extortion, gang-related crimes, and the display of weapons, including on social media. Police would now be able to digitally monitor criminals. A first offence carries a sentence of three to five years, while repeat offenders could face seven years in prison, a Rs2 million fine, blocking of CNICs, and freezing of bank accounts.
