Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Sunday blocked the passage of a controversial government bill granting sweeping powers to the administration to monitor and take action against “habitual offenders” and individuals accused of “anti-social” conduct.
The Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behavior Bill, 2026 aims to replace the Restriction of Habitual Offenders (Punjab) Act, 1918 and the Punjab Control of Goondas Ordinance, 1959. It presents a new legal framework seeking to strengthen public safety and protect the writ of the state.
Under the proposed legislation, provincial, divisional and district committees are mandated to identify and act against “anti-social” behavior, coordinate with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and recommend preventive measures. Among the proposed measures are requirements for individuals to furnish surety bonds, place them under electronic surveillance, freeze bank accounts, block national identity cards, cancel arms licenses, confiscate electronic devices, and attach movable or immovable property in certain cases.
“Why was I not informed about the Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders Bill, 2026, when it was presented before the House,” the speaker questioned officials while presiding over an assembly session on Sunday. He noted he was absent from the previous day’s proceedings and had not been informed of the bill when it was placed for vote. “I take a very serious objection to this,” he said.
The bill, approved by both the provincial cabinet and a relevant standing committee, has drawn criticism, with citizens dubbing it a relic of colonialism and a threat to fundamental rights. The speaker, while halting the bill’s passage, said he would study it before deciding on the future course of action.
“It is not possible to bring back the colonial-era law,” he said, while seeking clarification from the government on the role of the district administration in declaring individuals “habitual offenders.” He noted this was the mandate of courts.
According to the bill, “anti-social” behavior has been defined to include extortion, fraud, public harassment, aerial firing, organized crime, cybercrime, drug trafficking, land grabbing, spread of misinformation or disinformation through electronic or social media, display of weapons online, and the use of hate material that could incite violent extremism. Any person with a criminal case registered against them, or a prior arrest, can be dubbed a habitual offender.
The bill calls for habitual offenders wearing electronic monitoring devices for at least three months and empowers authorities to collect photographs, fingerprints, biometric information and DNA samples. Anyone who violates orders issued under the bill or tampers with electronic monitoring devices risks prison terms and substantial fines, with stricter penalties for repeat offenders.
The government insists the bill has remedies for citizens who believe they are unfairly targeted, including a right to appeal before the divisional committee and subsequently the provincial committee. Additionally, it claims, decisions can be contested before an appellate forum, whose ruling can be challenged before a three-member tribunal.