Senate Committee approves bill mandating three-year imprisonment for unapproved protests in Islamabad

The Senate Standing Committee of Interior, presided by Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, has approved a bill pertaining to rallies in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

The bill reads that protests will occur in the Islamabad-connected area of Sangjani or other specified areas where the government referred. Without permission, protest organisers and participants will be punished with three years of imprisonment.

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui debated the bill, saying it is intended to legalise protests in Islamabad and will be implemented only in the capital territory.

He further said that containers are still on Islamabad roads, creating trouble for people. He emphasised that the government needed to allocate a designated place for protests.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri clarified that the bill’s purpose is not to target any political party.

Senator Saifullah Abro said that according to the Pakistan constitution, every citizen has the right to peaceful protest.