President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Public Order and Peaceful Assembly Bill 2024 into law, following its passage in both the Senate and National Assembly. The new legislation prohibits unauthorised public gatherings in Islamabad.

With the president’s endorsement, the law imposes penalties for organizing gatherings without prior permission, with offenders facing up to three years in prison and fines. Repeat violators could be sentenced to as much as 10 years in jail.

The government expedited the bill’s approval in the Senate two days ago and in the National Assembly yesterday, despite facing significant criticism from opposition parties. Critics claim that the law was enacted specifically to thwart PTI from conducting its rally scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) in the federal capital.

The Islamabad district administration granted a no-objection certificate for the PTI rally, with party leaders such as Barrister Gohar, Omer Ayub, and Asad Qaiser commencing preparations for the event.

But reports said that the Islamabad Police disrupted the preparations by seizing equipment, including the DJ system, last night.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that the rally would be peaceful and not a long march or sit-in, urging authorities to refrain from imposing any obstacles.

After visiting the rally site with fellow party leaders, he stated, “Our rally will be peaceful, and we have an NOC. No barriers should be placed in our way.” He added that the event was intended for the public, votes, and the pursuit of true freedom.

The PTI leadership has confirmed that the rally would go ahead as planned, calling on supporters to gather at the venue by 2pm. In anticipation of the event, the government has deployed containers on various roads throughout Islamabad to manage the situation.