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Cabinet officials

Pakistan Passes Anti-Terrorism Bill Granting Military, Civil Armed Forces Detention Powers

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, granting military and civil armed forces the authority to place individuals facing terrorism charges under preventive detention for up to three months. The bill was moved by Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry and sailed through clause-by-clause reading with a majority vote. According to the statement of objects and reasons, the prevailing security situation requires a robust response that goes beyond the existing legal framework to equip the government, armed forces, and civil armed forces with the authority to detain individuals posing a significant threat to national security. The bill reintroduces the powers of preventive detention, enabling detention on the basis of credible information or reasonable suspicion to disrupt planned terrorist activities. The legislation also provides for the formation of Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs) comprising members of various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to conduct comprehensive inquiries and gather actionable intelligence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, grants military and civil armed forces the authority to place individuals facing terrorism charges under preventive detention for up to three months.
  • The legislation reintroduces the powers of preventive detention, enabling detention on the basis of credible information or reasonable suspicion to disrupt planned terrorist activities.
  • The bill provides for the formation of Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs) comprising members of various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to conduct comprehensive inquiries and gather actionable intelligence.
  • The legislation also incorporates an amendment suggested by PPP's Syed Naveed Qamar, which grants armed forces or civil armed forces the power to arrest a "suspicious person" for three months.
  • The bill includes a sunset clause, which provides that the provisions of the bill shall remain in force for a period of three years from commencement.
  • The law is intended to be used only in specific situations and includes provisions for the arrested person to be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours.
  • PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and PTI senior leader and former NA speaker Asad Qaiser assailed the bill, rejecting it in their addresses, citing concerns about the misuse of the law and potential targeting of political opponents.
  • Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the bill, stating that it violates human rights and does not address the root cause of terrorism.

Statistics:

  • 125 votes in favour and 59 against the motion to take up the bill.
  • Up to 3 months of detention for individuals facing terrorism charges under the new bill.
  • 3 years from the commencement of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2025, for the provisions of the bill to remain in force.
  • 24 hours for the arrested person to be presented before a magistrate.
  • 5 members of Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs) including a police officer, intelligence agencies, civil armed forces, armed forces, and other law enforcement agencies.

Sources:

  • The Express Tribune
  • Dawn
  • Geo News
  • Times of Pakistan

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