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LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly saw a heated exchange on Monday over the proposed Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, 2026, with the opposition describing the legislation as an assault on fundamental rights and freedom of expression. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan assured lawmakers that their concerns would be addressed before the bill was taken up for consideration.

The debate unfolded as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed a complete reconsideration and redraft of the bill, in what Dawn reported as a legislative retreat in response to stiff opposition, including from within the ruling party in the provincial assembly.

Coverage Comparison

Dawn's reporting tracked the bill's controversial journey through the provincial assembly. Initial coverage focused on the opposition's sharp criticism during a session on Monday, with Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi alleging the proposed law violated constitutional guarantees and democratic principles. He warned that the bill could become "the final nail in the coffin for freedom of expression" and accused the government of attempting to suppress dissent through legislation.

A separate report noted that Speaker Khan was surprised on Sunday when opposition member Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan informed him the bill had been approved by the PA Standing Committee on Law. The bill had been introduced in the House on June 8.

Subsequent coverage detailed the government's reversal. During a session that commenced over two hours behind schedule, the speaker announced that the Assembly Secretariat would return the bill to the law department, which would then refer it to the provincial cabinet for necessary amendments. The bill would be entirely redesigned and represented to the Punjab Assembly for approval, he said.

Key Claims

  • The Punjab Assembly witnessed a heated exchange over the proposed Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, 2026.
  • The opposition described the legislation as an assault on fundamental rights and freedom of expression.
  • The bill mandates electronic tracking devices like anklets or bracelets to monitor habitual criminals.
  • The law establishes a specialised hierarchy of provincial, divisional and district intelligence committees.
  • The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply concerned at the proposed law, which appears to confer sweeping powers on the executive.
  • Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed a complete reconsideration and redraft of the bill.
  • The bill proposes a regime in which the executive can freeze a person's bank account, seize their property, and place them under electronic surveillance.
  • The bill will be entirely redesigned and represented to the Punjab Assembly for approval.
  • The draft bill states that once enacted, this legislation will officially repeal colonial-era laws.
  • The bill establishes a strict zero-tolerance policy for defying these new public safety measures.
The bill's provisions drew concern from both the opposition and the speaker. According to Dawn, the proposed law would allow the executive to freeze a person's bank account, seize their property, remove their online presence, confiscate their phone, and place them under electronic surveillance, all based on an intelligence committee's assessment of their conduct.

The speaker expressed his own reservations, saying, "It's not possible to introduce a law reminiscent of the colonial era … There could be some misunderstanding on this. Let me see." He also questioned whether the deputy commissioner and district police officer would be empowered to take action against an individual under the proposed law.

During the debate, opposition member Rana Aftab Ahmad read out a letter he had sent to the speaker raising objections to the legislation, urging that the bill not be passed in its present form and be referred for detailed constitutional and legal scrutiny.

Opposition members also expressed concern that the ruling PML-N could become a victim of the law, as it could not remain in power forever, according to Dawn's report.

Government Response

In announcing the redraft, Speaker Khan said the government wanted to refine the law to address public and human rights concerns, noting that while legislation regarding anti-social behaviour exists in the UK, the Punjab government sought to improve upon it. He acknowledged Rana Aftab Ahmad's formal letter to the Secretariat regarding the bill.

The session also saw other matters raised, including opposition lawmaker Rana Shahbaz's protest over alleged medical negligence at the tehsil headquarters hospital in Ahmadpur Sial, and minority member Phelbus Christopher's protest over the district administration's takeover of the Ewing Hall of FC College Lahore. Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat assured the house that the Walled City Authority was merely renovating the building and would hand it back to the college management once completed.