Latest news with #Anti-Terrorism(Amendment)Bill
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Detention distress!
The piece of legislation that grants military and civil armed forces the powers to detain suspects for up to three months has stirred fear and suspicion. At a time when human rights violations have broadly been reported across the country based on political victimisation, this new law is feared to further the sense of otherness and alleged highhandedness. The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed by the National Assembly, however, is not new as the same had been in force till 2016, and lapsed due to a sunset clause. It was introduced after the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar, and had been instrumental in broadly exterminating the terror nexus. Reviving it with new fervour at a time when the country is infected with terrorism is a much-needed move, but it surely needs to be guaranteed that it would not be misused against dissenting voices and political opponents. The law, passed on the eve of Independence Day, has come with a bad taste. Critics in the civil society, lawfare and political circles question its utility when a plethora of similar litigations are there to deal with terror suspects. Especially, as the armed forces have been included in the orbit, it has come with a more lethal touch. It is, however, not known whether the detainees will be produced before the magistrate within 24 hours as per Penal Code, or they will continue to languish in shadows at the mercy of authorities for 180 days. While the bill says that the detention shall be on the basis of "credible information or reasonable suspicion", one hopes better sense will prevail and there won't be tales of midnight knocks and arbitrary disappearances. A clause in the amendment, sub-section 2 Section 11EEEE (preventive detention for inquiry), is quite vexing as any "suspicious person" could be held for three months. This needs some detailing and must ensure that fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution are not thrown to the wind. The fact that JITs comprising members of law-enforcement and intelligence agencies will conduct inquiries must come with public trial, so that the merits of detention and prosecution are assured as per law.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan passes anti-terror bill: Law gives detention powers to military, civil forces; opposition cites rights violations
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) Pakistan reintroduces Anti-Terrorism Act with preventive detention powers for military, civil forces Pakistan army soldiers (AP file photo) 1 2 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.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Pakistan Reintroduces Anti-Terrorism Act: Report
Islamabad: The National Assembly of Pakistan passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, restoring the provision of preventive detention for individuals suspected of terrorism, The Express Tribune reported on Tuesday. The amendment, which was passed on Wednesday, empowers both military and civil armed forces to detain individuals suspected of terrorism for up to three months. According to The Express Tribune, the bill, presented by Pakistani Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry, was approved after a clause-by-clause reading, with the House rejecting proposed changes by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)'s Aliya Kamran and accepting an amendment from Pakistan Peoples Party's Syed Naveed Qamar. As per the amendment, Section 11EEEE of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), initially enacted in 2014 in the aftermath of the Peshawar Army Public School attack, had expired in 2016 due to a sunset clause, The Express Tribune reported. The latest amendment reintroduces this provision, allowing authorities to detain individuals based on credible intelligence or reasonable suspicion to preempt terrorist activities. The law also allows for the establishment of Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs), composed of members from law enforcement and intelligence agencies, to carry out in-depth investigations and gather operational intelligence. According to the bill's statement of objectives, Pakistan's current security landscape demands stronger legal tools to empower the government, military, and law enforcement agencies in dealing with individuals posing a serious threat to national security, as reported by The Express Tribune. The bill was taken up for voting, with 125 members supporting the motion and 59 opposing it. As per the bill, as stated by The Express Tribune, sub-section (1) of Section 11EEEE allows detention beyond three months, subject to constitutional safeguards under Article 10, which protects against unlawful arrest and detention. A key revision to sub-section (1) of Clause 2 states: "The Government or, where the provisions of section 4 have been invoked, the armed forces or civil armed forces, as the case may be subject to the specific or general order of the Government in this regard, for a period not exceeding three months and after recording reasons thereof, issue order for the preventive detention of any person who has been concerned in any offence under this act relating to the security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, or public order relating to target killing, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion, bhatta, or the maintenance of supplies or services, or against whom a reasonable complaint has been made or credible information has been received, or a reasonable suspicion exists of his having been so concerned, for purpose of inquiry," as quoted by The Express Tribune. Further amendments in sub-section (2) specify that any detention ordered by the armed or civil armed forces must be investigated by a Joint Investigation Team. This team would include a police officer not below the rank of SP, and members from intelligence, military, and other enforcement agencies. Additionally, a new provision (2A) declares that these powers under sub-sections (1) and (2) will remain in effect for three years from the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2025. Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that this law is meant to be used selectively and includes checks. "A clause is being added to the bill stating that there are solid reasons for arrest. The arrested person will have to be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours, and a clause has also been included to be enforceable for a specific period," he stated, as quoted by The Express Tribune. Reacting to the passage of the amendment, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the move, calling it a repeat of earlier legislation that infringes on "fundamental human rights".
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan Revives Anti-Terror Law Granting Detention Powers To Forces
The National Assembly of Pakistan passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, restoring the provision of preventive detention for individuals suspected of terrorism, The Express Tribune reported on Tuesday. The amendment, which was passed on Wednesday, empowers both military and civil armed forces to detain individuals suspected of terrorism for up to three months. According to The Express Tribune, the bill, presented by Pakistani Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry, was approved after a clause-by-clause reading, with the House rejecting proposed changes by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)'s Aliya Kamran and accepting an amendment from Pakistan Peoples Party's Syed Naveed Qamar. As per the amendment, Section 11EEEE of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), initially enacted in 2014 in the aftermath of the Peshawar Army Public School attack, had expired in 2016 due to a sunset clause, The Express Tribune reported. The latest amendment reintroduces this provision, allowing authorities to detain individuals based on credible intelligence or reasonable suspicion to preempt terrorist activities. The law also allows for the establishment of Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs), composed of members from law enforcement and intelligence agencies, to carry out in-depth investigations and gather operational intelligence. According to the bill's statement of objectives, Pakistan's current security landscape demands stronger legal tools to empower the government, military, and law enforcement agencies in dealing with individuals posing a serious threat to national security, as reported by The Express Tribune. The bill was taken up for voting, with 125 members supporting the motion and 59 opposing it. As per the bill, as stated by The Express Tribune, sub-section (1) of Section 11EEEE allows detention beyond three months, subject to constitutional safeguards under Article 10, which protects against unlawful arrest and detention. A key revision to sub-section (1) of Clause 2 states: "The Government or, where the provisions of section 4 have been invoked, the armed forces or civil armed forces, as the case may be subject to the specific or general order of the Government in this regard, for a period not exceeding three months and after recording reasons thereof, issue order for the preventive detention of any person who has been concerned in any offence under this act relating to the security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, or public order relating to target killing, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion, bhatta, or the maintenance of supplies or services, or against whom a reasonable complaint has been made or credible information has been received, or a reasonable suspicion exists of his having been so concerned, for purpose of inquiry," as quoted by The Express Tribune. Further amendments in sub-section (2) specify that any detention ordered by the armed or civil armed forces must be investigated by a Joint Investigation Team. This team would include a police officer not below the rank of SP, and members from intelligence, military, and other enforcement agencies. Additionally, a new provision (2A) declares that these powers under sub-sections (1) and (2) will remain in effect for three years from the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2025. Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that this law is meant to be used selectively and includes checks. "A clause is being added to the bill stating that there are solid reasons for arrest. The arrested person will have to be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours, and a clause has also been included to be enforceable for a specific period," he stated, as quoted by The Express Tribune. Reacting to the passage of the amendment, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the move, calling it a repeat of earlier legislation that infringes on "fundamental human rights".
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan reintroduces Anti-Terrorism Act with preventive detention powers for military, civil forces
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The National Assembly of Pakistan passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, restoring the provision of preventive detention for individuals suspected of terrorism, The Express Tribune reported on amendment, which was passed on Wednesday, empowers both military and civil armed forces to detain individuals suspected of terrorism for up to three to The Express Tribune, the bill, presented by PakistMinister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry, was approved after a clause-by-clause reading, with the House rejecting proposed changes by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)'s Aliya Kamran and accepting an amendment from Pakistan Peoples Party's Syed Naveed per the amendment, Section 11EEEE of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), initially enacted in 2014 in the aftermath of the Peshawar Army Public School attack, had expired in 2016 due to a sunset clause, The Express Tribune latest amendment reintroduces this provision, allowing authorities to detain individuals based on credible intelligence or reasonable suspicion to preempt terrorist law also allows for the establishment of Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs), composed of members from law enforcement and intelligence agencies, to carry out in-depth investigations and gather operational to the bill's statement of objectives, Pakistan's current security landscape demands stronger legal tools to empower the government, military, and law enforcement agencies in dealing with individuals posing a serious threat to national security, as reported by The Express bill was taken up for voting, with 125 members supporting the motion and 59 opposing per the bill, as stated by The Express Tribune, sub-section (1) of Section 11EEEE allows detention beyond three months, subject to constitutional safeguards under Article 10, which protects against unlawful arrest and detention.A key revision to sub-section (1) of Clause 2 states: "The Government or, where the provisions of section 4 have been invoked, the armed forces or civil armed forces, as the case may be subject to the specific or general order of the Government in this regard, for a period not exceeding three months and after recording reasons thereof, issue order for the preventive detention of any person who has been concerned in any offence under this act relating to the security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, or public order relating to target killing, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion, bhatta, or the maintenance of supplies or services, or against whom a reasonable complaint has been made or credible information has been received, or a reasonable suspicion exists of his having been so concerned, for purpose of inquiry," as quoted by The Express amendments in sub-section (2) specify that any detention ordered by the armed or civil armed forces must be investigated by a Joint Investigation Team. This team would include a police officer not below the rank of SP, and members from intelligence, military, and other enforcement a new provision (2A) declares that these powers under sub-sections (1) and (2) will remain in effect for three years from the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that this law is meant to be used selectively and includes checks."A clause is being added to the bill stating that there are solid reasons for arrest. The arrested person will have to be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours, and a clause has also been included to be enforceable for a specific period," he stated, as quoted by The Express to the passage of the amendment, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the move, calling it a repeat of earlier legislation that infringes on "fundamental human rights".
