The Punjab Assembly was informed on Tuesday that the controversial Habitual Offenders Bill, 2026 would be returned to the Law department and subsequently to the provincial cabinet for reconsideration, amendments, and redrafting before being reintroduced in the House. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan announced the decision during the final sitting of the budget session, stating that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had directed a fresh review of the proposed legislation before its enactment.
Objections from Opposition and Civil Society
The move follows strong objections to the bill from opposition parties, civil society, and legal circles, who raised concerns over several provisions. For the third consecutive day, proceedings in the Punjab Assembly were dominated by debate over the proposed legislation, which has sparked concerns among lawmakers and legal experts regarding its compatibility with fundamental rights of citizens.
Addressing the House, the Speaker said the government had decided to reconsider the bill in light of objections raised by opposition lawmakers, feedback from civil society, and widespread debate on social media. He informed the House that the Assembly Secretariat would return the bill to the Punjab Law department, which would forward it to the provincial cabinet for a comprehensive review. After incorporating necessary amendments, the revised legislation would again be presented before the Assembly for approval.
Comparison with International Laws
The Speaker acknowledged that although countries such as the United Kingdom had enacted laws dealing with anti-social behaviour, the Punjab government wanted to ensure that the proposed legislation adequately addressed public concerns before becoming law. He also informed the House that opposition lawmaker Rana Aftab Ahmad had formally written to the Assembly Secretariat regarding the bill and that the matter had been discussed extensively by the relevant standing committee.
The bill had attracted criticism from opposition parties, which argued that several of its provisions were inconsistent with constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights and could potentially be misused against citizens.
Other Assembly Business
Apart from the habitual offenders bill, the Assembly discussed a range of public interest issues. Opposition MPA Rana Shehbaz strongly protested alleged negligence at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Ahmadpur Sial, claiming that a gunshot victim died after excessive blood loss because timely medical treatment was not provided. He alleged that patients in public hospitals continued to suffer due to poor performance by doctors.
The House also witnessed a light-hearted exchange between treasury members Arshad Malik and Asif Bhah over a visit to Japan, prompting humorous remarks from the Speaker and laughter across the Assembly.
Minority Lawmaker Raises Hostel Issue
Minority lawmaker Philobus Christopher protested the alleged occupation of the FCC College Lahore Neela Gumbad Hostel by the district administration. She maintained that the Punjab government had leased the property to the institution for 99 years in 1915 and that the lease remained valid until 2040. Responding to the issue, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat assured the House that the hostel building would be handed back to the college administration after restoration work by the Walled City Authority. He said the hostel had remained closed for nearly two decades because of its dilapidated condition and also announced that FCC University had been included in the Punjab government’s laptop scheme.
Resolutions Adopted
The Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution moved by treasury member Mehwish Sultana expressing concern over Pakistan’s limited water storage capacity. The resolution noted that the country could store water for only about 90 days, posing serious risks to water, food and economic security. It urged the federal government to construct new dams and reservoirs, modernise water management and irrigation systems, build inter-provincial consensus on water issues and launch nationwide public awareness campaigns.
Another unanimously adopted resolution, tabled by Uzma Jabeen, called for a zero-tolerance policy against drug use in public and private educational institutions across Punjab. The House also approved a resolution moved by Shagufta Faisal supporting the transformation of the Punjab Assembly into a fully digital and paperless legislature.
Legislation and Condolences
During the sitting, the Assembly also passed two bills establishing private universities and introduced another bill for setting up a new private university. At the conclusion of the sitting, the House expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of children caused by the collapse of the roof of a private tuition academy in Lahore’s Kahna area. In a message read out in the Assembly, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to provide generous financial assistance to the victims’ families and ensure the best possible treatment for those injured. After completion of the agenda, Panel of Chairpersons Raja Shaukat Bhatti adjourned the Punjab Assembly session indefinitely.
