LAHORE: Punjab is set to raise a separate force for handling ‘unlawful’ protests and mobs as Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home on Monday cleared a sweeping amendment to the Police Order, 2002, aimed at tightening control over riots, violent protests and unlawful assemblies across the province.

The proposed Police Order (Second Amendment) Act 2025 introduces a dedicated Riot Management Unit (RMU), empowered to manage riots province-wide, equipped with modern gear and trained specifically for crowd control. The RMU will operate under an additional inspector general (AIG), supervised by the provincial police officer.

A key feature of the bill is the formal declaration of “Riot Zones.” Under the new law, the deputy commissioner and district police officer can jointly declare any affected area a Riot Zone, allowing authorities to cordon off roads, evacuate civilians and appoint an Incident Commander to coordinate all departments during operations.

The bill grants legal protection to police and RMU personnel for actions taken “in good faith” during riot control, shielding them from lawsuits and prosecutions for lawful use of force.

Additional IG-led Riot Management Unit to get legal shield; amended Police Order provides for heavy penalties on rioters

To strengthen accountability, the amendment makes organisers, instigators and facilitators of riots financially liable.

Courts will be required to order compensation for deaths, injuries, mental trauma and property damage caused during riots or unlawful assemblies. Compensation will be recoverable as arrears of land revenue, with up to three years’ imprisonment for default.

A new chapter, “Offences in the Riot Zone,” prescribes up to 10-year imprisonment and fines up to Rs500,000 for attacks on police, law-enforcement personnel or private individuals, and for damage to public or private property. Such offences will be cognisable, non-bailable and tried by sessions courts on a day-to-day basis, with a mandatory decision within 30 days.

The bill also bars accused persons from transferring property once a case is registered and restricts foreign travel without court permission.

Use of modern surveillance technology, including Safe City cameras, is allowed, with video and photographic evidence declared admissible in court.

According to the statement of objects, the amendments seek to address rising public unrest, violent protests and attacks on law enforcement, while ensuring compensation for victims and clearer legal cover for police action.

The bill will now move to the Punjab Assembly floor for enactment.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025