Punjab Anti-Social Behaviour Bill 2026: What You Need to Know

Punjab Assembly – (Web Desk) – The Punjab anti-social behaviour bill 2026 has become one of the most talked-about pieces of legislation in Pakistan right now. The bill gives government officials sweeping powers to freeze bank accounts, seize property, and monitor people online — all without a court order.

What Does the Bill Propose?

Under this bill, special intelligence committees will be set up at provincial, divisional, and district levels. These committees can declare someone a “habitual offender” based on repeated arrests — not proven crimes. That means a person could face serious punishment even before any court finds them guilty.

Penalties under the bill include blocking national identity cards, confiscating passports, freezing bank accounts, removing someone’s online presence, and even collecting their DNA and biometric data.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said he had no idea the bill had already been introduced in the House. He expressed clear annoyance with the assembly secretariat and demanded answers. His reaction raised questions about how such a major bill moved forward without proper notification.

PTI lawmakers have strongly opposed the bill. They argue it can easily be used for political victimisation. One MPA pointed out that officers would both report against someone and then take action themselves — with no involvement from any court or judicial body.

Critics say this bill is more extreme than the colonial-era laws it claims to replace. It proposes repealing the Restriction of Habitual Offenders Act 1918 and the Punjab Control of Goondas Ordinance 1959 — but the new version actually gives the executive even more unchecked power.

The bill does include an appeals process. People can challenge decisions through divisional and provincial committees, then an appellate committee, and finally an independent tribunal led by a retired judge. However, critics say this is not enough to protect ordinary citizens.

This bill is moving fast through the Punjab Assembly, and the debate around it is only getting louder. Whether it becomes law or gets revised under public pressure remains to be seen.