Public Order (Political Uniforms) Ordinance, 1958

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THE PUBLIC ORDER (POLITICAL UNIFORMS) ORDINANCE, 
1958 
 
              
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement 
2.  Interpretation 
3.  Prohibition of uniforms in connection with political objects 
4.  Prohibition of quasi-military organisations 
5.  Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable 
6.  Punishment 
 
 
 
 

 
 
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THE PUBLIC ORDER (POLITICAL UNIFORMS) ORDINANCE, 1958. 
ORDINANCE NO. XV OF 1958 
[19th September, 1958] 
 
An Ordinance to prohibit the wearing of uniforms in connection with political purposes and the 
maintenance by private persons of associations of a military or semi-military character, and matters 
connected therewith. 
 
 WHEREAS it is expedient to prohibit the wearing of uniforms in connection with political 
purposes and the maintenance b y private persons of associations of a military or semi -military 
character, and matters connected therewith ; 
 
 AND WHEREAS the National Assembly is not in session and the President is satisfied that 
circumstances exist which render immediate action necessary ; 
 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 69 of the Constitution 
and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, the President is pleased to make and promulgate 
the following Ordinance, namely :___  
 
 1. Short title, exten t and commencement. ___(1) This Ordinance may be called the Public 
Order (Political Uniforms) Ordinance, 1958. 
 
 (2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
 
 (3) It shall come into force at once. 
 
 2. Interpretation. ___In this Ordinance, unless there is anyth ing repugnant in the subject or 
context,___  
 
 “ Meeting ” means a meeting held for the purpose of the discussion of matters of public 
interest or for the purpose of the expression of views on such matters ; 
 
 “ Private premises ” means premises to which the public have access (whether on payment or 
otherwise) only by permission of the owner, occupier, or lessee of the premises ; 
 
 “ Public meeting ” includes any meeting in a public place and any meeting which the public 
or any section thereof are permitted to attend, whether on payment or otherwise. 
 
 3. Prohibition of uniforms in connection with political objects. ___Subject as hereinafter 
provided, any person who in any public place or at any public meeting marches or parades in military 
order or wears uni form signifying his association with any political organization or with the 
promotion of any political object shall be guilty of an offence : 
 
 Provided that if the District Magistrate is satisfied that the wearing of any such uniform as 
aforesaid on any c eremonial, anniversary, or other special occasion will not be likely to involve risk 
of public disorder, he may, with the previous consent of the 1[Provincial Government], by written 
order permit the wearing of such uniform on that occasion either absolute ly or subject to such 
conditions as may be specified in the order. 
 
1Subs. by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (President’s Order No. 1 of 1964), Art. 2 and Schedule.  
 
 
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 4. Prohibition of quasi -military organi sations.—(1) If the members of adheren ts of any 
association of persons, whether incorporated or not, are___  
 
(a)  organised or trained or equipped for the purpose of enabling them to be 
employed in usurping the functions of the police or of the armed forces of 
Pakistan ; or  
 
(b)  organised a nd trained or organis ed and equipped either for the purpose of 
enabling them to be employed for the use or display of physical force in 
promoting any political object, or in such manner as to arouse reasonable 
apprehension that they  are organis ed and eithe r trained or equipped for that 
purpose ; 
 
 then any person who takes part in the control and management of the association, or in so 
organising or training as aforesaid any members or adherents thereof, shall be guilty of an offence 
under this section : 
 
 Provided that in any proceedings against a person charged with the offence of taking part in 
the control or management of such an association as aforesaid it shall be a defence to that charge to 
prove that he neither consented to nor connived at the organi sation, training or equipment of 
members or adherents of the association in contravention of the provisions of this section. 
 
 (2) In any criminal proceedings under this section proof of things done or of words written, 
spoken or published (whether or not in the presence of any party to the proceedings) by any person 
taking part in the control or management of an association or in organising, training or equipping 
members or adherents of an association shall be admissible as evidence of the purposes for whi ch, or 
the manner in which, members or adherents of the association (whether those persons or others) were 
organised, or trained, or equipped. 
 
 (3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit employment of a reasonable number of persons as 
stewards without any distinctive uniforms to assist in the preservation of order at any public meeting 
held upon private premises, or the making of arrangements for that purpose or the instruction of the 
persons to be so employed in their lawful duties as such stewards, or th eir being furnished with 
badges or other distinguishing signs.  
 
 5. Offences to be cognizable and non -bailable.___Offences under this Ordinance shall be 
cognizable and non-bailable. 
 
 6. Punishment.___An offence under this Ordinance shall be punishable wi th imprisonment 
for two years or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both. 
 
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RGN Date: 18-09-2024