ISLAMABAD, Nov 1 (Alliance News): An amendment to Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act has been presented in the National Assembly, proposing new measures that grant increased powers to armed and civil armed forces in detaining individuals linked to terrorism and national security threats.
Under the proposed amendment, security agencies will be authorized to detain individuals involved in crimes such as ransom, extortion, target killings, and kidnapping for up to three months without immediate charges.
Those detained on grounds related to national security, defense, and public order will similarly be held for three months.
Detainees will retain the right to a transparent trial, and any detention period exceeding three months will be subject to Article 10A, which ensures fair judicial process.
Furthermore, cases involving such crimes will undergo investigation by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), comprising members from police, intelligence agencies, civil armed forces, and other law enforcement bodies.
This amendment is intended to bolster Pakistan’s capacity to combat serious threats and maintain public order, while balancing the legal rights of detainees under prolonged detention.
