President Zardari Signs Anti-Terrorism Bill Amid Oppression and Controversy

Strategic Insights -

The President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, into law, aiming to improve counterterrorism efforts while ensuring legal oversight and safeguards. The amendments, made to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, were passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate this month, despite opposition protests. The new law has reinserted powers granted to law enforcement authorities (LEAs) and the armed forces to detain individuals for up to three months, subject to judicial oversight and safeguards.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, aiming to improve counterterrorism efforts while ensuring legal oversight and safeguards.
  • The bill reinserts powers granted to law enforcement authorities (LEAs) and the armed forces to detain individuals for up to three months, subject to judicial oversight and safeguards.
  • The new law includes provisions for the detention of individuals suspected of activities against national security or safety, including target killing, kidnapping for ransom, or extortion.
  • Persons involved in such activities can be detained for three months, after recording reasons for the detention, subject to the provisions of Article 10 of the Constitution.
  • The investigation of detained individuals will be conducted by a joint investigation team, comprising members from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
  • The bill aims to provide law enforcement agencies with the legal backing to conduct more effective operations against terrorism and facilitate the use of joint interrogation teams (JITs) to gather actionable intelligence.

Statistics:

  • The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate this month.
  • The new law grants powers to LEAs and the armed forces to detain individuals for up to three months, subject to judicial oversight and safeguards.
  • The bill includes provisions for the detention of individuals suspected of activities against national security or safety, including target killing, kidnapping for ransom, or extortion.
  • The investigation of detained individuals will be conducted by a joint investigation team, comprising members from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Sources:

  • The President's House statement
  • Dawn.com, a copy of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025
  • National Assembly and Senate records, passage of the bill
  • The Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, and its amendments