President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Public Order and Peaceful Assembly Bill 2024 into law, banning unauthorized public gatherings in Islamabad. The new law imposes penalties of up to three years in prison and fines for violators, with repeat offenders facing up to 10 years in jail.
Despite criticism from the opposition, the bill was swiftly passed by both the Senate and the National Assembly. Critics allege it targets Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has relocated its upcoming rally to a new venue near Sangjani Cattle Market after obtaining official permission.
PTI leaders assured us that the rally would be peaceful, while the government positioned containers across the capital in preparation.