The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior witnessed a spirited debate as the Ministry of Interior opposed proposed amendments to laws 3 and 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Members from various political factions expressed deep concerns over the implications of these amendments.
Sahibzada Sibghatullah highlighted historical resistance to the bill, noting that even Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had strongly opposed similar measures during the British era due to their questionable nature.
Abdul Qadir Patel of the People’s Party argued for the immediate abolition of such oppressive laws across all provinces, criticizing them as fundamentally unjustifiable violations of public freedoms.
PTI’s Zartaj Gul shared her ordeal, recounting her arrest under the 16 MPO, which she described as a flagrant abuse of law, emphasizing the emotional and unjust nature of her arrest.
Agha Rafiullah called for an extensive review of the bill within the committee to allow a comprehensive discussion on its legal standing and implications, encouraging all members to articulate their views.
Hanif Abbasi of the PML-N also shared his grievances, discussing his unlawful arrest and the subsequent academic repercussions faced by his daughter. This underscored the unethical practice of involving family members in political disputes.
Lastly, Sahibzada Hamid Raza of the Sunni Ittehad Council raised concerns about the unjust treatment of his sister, who was implicated in political controversies despite being abroad. This illustrates the far-reaching and often unfair impact of these laws.
