The Shehbaz Sharif-led government in Pakistan has introduced legislation that has ignited controversy, drawing strong reactions from opposition parties and human rights organizations. The Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill grants increased powers to the military and security apparatus. The bill’s core provision allows for the detention of individuals for up to three months without requiring judicial proceedings.
Critics are apprehensive that this move could lead Pakistan towards a more authoritarian system, potentially setting a precedent similar to that of General Pervez Musharraf and strengthening the position of the current Army Chief, General Asim Munir.
Key Elements of the New Legislation:
The amendment reinstates a clause from the 2014 Anti-Terrorism Act that was repealed in 2016. This clause permits the preventive detention of individuals for up to three months based on suspicion or intelligence reports. The government, military, or paramilitary forces can issue arrest orders. Investigations will be conducted by a Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) made up of police, intelligence agencies, and military officials. The law is slated to be in effect for a period of three years, with the possibility of extensions by Parliament.
Opposition and Activist Concerns:
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the chairman of PTI, has condemned the law as a violation of human rights, arguing that detention based on mere suspicion, without a trial, is a hallmark of dictatorship. Human rights groups express worries that the law could be utilized to suppress dissent and target government opponents, rather than combatting terrorism effectively.
Government’s Stance:
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defends the law, emphasizing that it will only be employed in exceptional circumstances and that arrests must be based on solid evidence. He states that detainees will be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours. This law is meant to be temporary. Nevertheless, human rights organizations are raising serious questions, given the historical dominance of the military and intelligence agencies in Pakistan, and wondering if the stipulated conditions will be followed.
The Peril of Dictatorship under Munir:
In 1999, Pervez Musharraf seized power from the elected government of Nawaz Sharif through a military coup. He suspended the constitution and imposed an emergency. He employed military force to implement policies and suppress the opposition. The Supreme Court subsequently declared his actions unconstitutional, finding him guilty of high treason.
These events have fueled concerns that General Asim Munir could potentially follow a similar course by leveraging the new law. Critics argue that the legislation’s actual purpose is not to address terrorism but to solidify control and enhance the government’s authority.