Punjab Assembly committee approves bill imposing jail terms for illegal gatherings in high security zones

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Department has approved two significant bills aimed at enhancing security and financial oversight in the province, according to official information.

The first of these, the Punjab High Security Zones (Establishment) Bill 2026, seeks to regulate public rallies and protests by introducing strict penalties for unauthorised gatherings in designated 'high security zones.' The bill is designed to prevent activities that could compromise public safety and to ensure the smooth functioning of business operations in sensitive areas.

Under the proposed legislation, the home secretary will have the authority to declare specific areas as 'high security zones.' This designation will be made based on recommendations from district and provincial intelligence committees. Once an area is officially notified as a high security zone, any unauthorised public gathering or protest within its boundaries will be subject to severe penalties.

The bill stipulates that participation in or facilitation of a public gathering within a high security zone will carry a mandatory minimum sentence of one year of rigorous imprisonment (RI), with the possibility of a maximum sentence of up to three years RI.

In addition to the security-focused bill, the committee also passed legislation to establish a new commission tasked with monitoring the financially 'beneficial ownership' of all trusts and cooperative societies in Punjab. This move is intended to strengthen oversight and transparency regarding the financial operations of these entities.

The passage of these bills by the standing committee marks a significant step towards tightening regulatory controls over both public assemblies in sensitive areas and the financial activities of trusts and societies in the province.