Pakistan passes anti-terror bill: Law gives detention powers to military, civil forces; opposition cites rights violations
Pakistan reintroduces Anti-Terrorism Act with preventive detention powers for military, civil forces
Pakistan army soldiers (AP file photo)
Pakistan reintroduces Anti-Terrorism Act with preventive detention powers for military, civil forces
Pakistan army soldiers (AP file photo)
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Pakistan's national assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, bringing back a provision that allows security forces to detain people suspected of terrorism for up to three months.
The provision, first introduced in 2014 after the Peshawar Army Public School attack, had expired in 2016. It lets the government, military, and civil armed forces detain suspects based either on credible intelligence or reasonable suspicion to prevent terrorist acts.
The law also allows the formation of joint investigation teams, made up of police, intelligence, and other security officials, to investigate and gather intelligence.
Under the amendment, detentions beyond three months can be made if allowed under constitutional safeguards. Any detention by the armed forces must be investigated by a joint investigation team, which must include a senior police officer.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the measure would be used selectively and with checks in place, including producing detainees before a magistrate within 24 hours.
When the bill was tabled, PTI objected strongly with the interim chairman Gohar Ali Khan saying no law that went against the constitution could be passed.
He argued that the bill violated Article 10 and supreme court rulings that barred laws curbing fundamental rights. He reminded the house that the court had struck down similar clauses before, and criticised the move to let authorities extend the detention of suspects from three months to six months, warning that such measures eroded public trust.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the law would treat every citizen like a born criminal, giving institutions unchecked powers to arrest anyone and shifting the burden of proof onto the accused. He cautioned against setting a precedent of flawed law-making.
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