Home Minister issues "MoniCon" orders against ten known gang members

Home Minister Umar Naseer has ordered the Police to run a Monitor and Control “MoniCon” orders against ten known gang members via High Court.

The Minister issued the order under the authority under the Anti-Terrorism Law.

In his tweet today, Minister Naseer said that the “full force of the law” will be applied against them.

I have ordered Police to run MoniCon Orders on 10 known gang members. More to come. Full force of the law will be applied.

— Umar Naseer (@UmarNaseerPPM) March 24, 2016

The MoniCon is a High Court order that can be issued against one person on multiple instances under the Anti-Terrorism Law. The Home Minister could deploy the order if he “reasonably” suspects a person is, or group of people are a “threat to society,” due to “active involvement in acts of terrorism” or “planning to commit an act of terror.” This opens up the investigative procedure to abuse by the executive to a great extent.

When the controversial court order is in effect, authorities can restrict constitutional rights such as; the right to privacy (as per Article 24), the freedom from search and seizure without probable cause, and the inviolability of private property (as per Article 47), and the freedom of movement and establishment (as per Article 41).