Intelligence panels set to get more powers
The Punjab government has prepared a draft of legislation to provide enhanced powers to intelligence committees at the district, divisional and provincial levels to combat threats to public security.
According to the Punjab Home Department, the proposed Mehfooz Punjab Act 2025 is aimed at strengthening law and order in the province through the comprehensive legal framework designed to tighten the noose around disruptive elements while ensuring constitutional safeguards.
The draft law introduces sweeping changes to the existing security apparatus by empowering the intelligence committees with unprecedented authority.
Under the proposed act, individuals deemed threats to public order can be placed in preventive detention for up to 90 days.
The legislation also allows for blocking of passports and national identity cards of such persons, along with recommendations to freeze their bank accounts and place them on no-fly lists. In more severe cases, the committees may recommend seizure of immovable properties and forwarding cases to federal agencies for further action.
A three-tiered intelligence committee structure forms the backbone of the proposed system. At the provincial level, the committee will be headed by the Punjab home secretary and include the inspector general of police, special aecretary for interior, additional IG of special branch, additional IG of counter-terrorism department (CTD) and representatives from sensitive federal agencies.
The divisional committees will be led by the commissioners with representation from regional police officers, SP of apecial branch, divisional CTD officers and federal agencies' representatives. District committees will operate under deputy commissioners with district police officers, DSPs of special branch, CTD officers and federal representatives as members.
The draft legislation proposes strict penalties for violations, with imprisonment ranging from three to five years and fines worth Rs5 million to.Rs10 million for non-compliance with directives.
To ensure checks and balances, the act proposes the formation of a provincial review board headed by the Lahore High Court chief justice and comprising current or former judges. The board will oversee detentions exceeding three months, providing judicial oversight to prevent potential misuse of powers.
One of the most significant provisions involves the authority to proscribe organisations and list their members in the 'Fourth Schedule'.
The district intelligence committees will have powers equivalent to the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law of1960, but with an expanded scope and stricter enforcement mechanisms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Proscribed outfits barred from hides collection
The Punjab Home Department has imposed a ban on 84 banned outfits from collecting sacrificial animal skins by roaming neighbourhoods across the province including Rawalpindi, using social media, or through their offices and homes. A circular regarding this ban has also been issued. The detailed data and list of all these banned organisations have been shared with the police stations across the Rawalpindi district, Special Branch, Civil Defence, and intelligence agencies. A warning notice has been issued stating that any violation of the ban, including attempts to collect or encourage the collection of skins, will result in cases being registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
CTD foils Eid terror plot, arrests three RAW-linked terrorists
Listen to article Punjab's Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday said it foiled a major terror plot by arresting three terrorists in Faisalabad linked to India's intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Express News reported. According to a spokesperson for the CTD, the arrests were made during an intelligence-based operation conducted in Pathan Colony on Jhang Road. The terrorists were planning coordinated attacks in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Pakpattan during Eidul Azha. The spokesperson said the terrorists were affiliated with the proscribed group Fitna Al-Khawarij and had crossed the border illegally on multiple occasions to meet RAW operatives in Srinagar and Rajasthan. A cache of explosives, detonators, and firearms was recovered from their possession, the CTD said. Read more: Two Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in Balochistan IBO: ISPR Initial investigations suggested that the terrorists were in contact with foreign handlers via WhatsApp, through which they shared sensitive location maps and received instructions, the spokesperson added. The CTD maintained that the terrorists had finalised plans to target key sites during the Eid holidays. A case has been registered in Faisalabad, and further investigation is under way. The spokesperson said the arrests helped avert what could have been large-scale destruction during the festive period, adding that efforts were ongoing to trace additional members of the network.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
LHC directs removal of name from ECL
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed the secretary interior to remove the name of petitioner Shahid Javed from the Exit Control List (ECL). Earlier a law officer told the court that the petitioner's name was put on the ECL on the recommendation of Home Secretary Punjab. The court asked the law officer whether the recommendation of a provincial officer is binding on the federal government. The law officer informed the court that the petitioner is on bail and could slip abroad. The court said how the government could restrain a person on bail from going abroad. The court said if he would not come back then his bail will be canceled and directed to remove the petitioner's name from the ECL. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
