LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Home Department has approved two significant bills aimed at tightening regulation over public gatherings and strengthening oversight of financial activities in trusts and cooperative societies.
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One of the proposed laws, the Punjab High Security Zones (Establishment) Bill 2026, seeks to regulate rallies and protests in areas declared sensitive for security reasons. Under the bill, the provincial home secretary will be empowered to notify specific locations as “high security zones” based on recommendations from district and provincial intelligence committees.
According to the bill, individuals participating in or facilitating a public gathering within such zones could face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to Rs500,000. The law also sets a minimum sentence of one year for violations.
The Punjab High Security Zones (Establishment) Bill 2026 aims to regulate public rallies and protests to prevent “activities prejudicial to safety” and ensure smooth running of business. https://t.co/h8aHoizQk7
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) March 12, 2026
The legislation states that protests will only be allowed in designated areas and with prior written permission from the deputy commissioner. Applications must be submitted at least 20 days in advance, and the deputy commissioner will decide the request within five days after consulting the district intelligence committee.
The bill further categorises violations as cognisable and non-bailable offences. Law enforcement authorities would be authorised to confiscate vehicles, sound systems and other equipment used during unauthorised gatherings.
The committee also approved the Punjab Waqf, Trusts and Cooperative Societies (Monitoring) Bill 2026, which proposes the creation of a new commission to monitor financial activities and ensure transparency in nonprofit and cooperative organisations.
The commission, headed by the provincial home secretary, will supervise the Auqaf, Cooperatives and Revenue departments and introduce a “beneficial ownership regime” aligned with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards.
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It will have the authority to conduct special audits, digitise records to identify ultimate beneficial owners and recommend cancellation of registrations if organisations fail to meet their stated objectives. Rights activists say the proposed legislation reflects the government’s effort to enhance security oversight while increasing financial transparency in public and nonprofit institutions.