Islamabad, September 07, 2024—President Asif Ali Zardari has officially signed into law a bill that regulates public gatherings and protests in the federal capital. With his approval, the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024” is now enforceable, and the National Assembly Secretariat has forwarded the law for gazette notification.
The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly after Senate approval, sets clear guidelines for organizing public meetings and protests in Islamabad. Under the new legislation, event coordinators must submit a written request to the district magistrate at least seven days before any planned gathering. The district magistrate has the authority to deny approval if sufficient justification is not provided, and a written explanation must accompany the decision. Gatherings are restricted to pre-designated areas assigned by the government. Prior to granting permission, the district magistrate is required to assess the security situation and obtain clearance from law enforcement agencies. The law strictly prohibits any public gatherings outside of these designated zones.
