The federal government has tabled amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act to allow anyone under suspicion to be arrested and kept in custody for three months.
The amendment, introduced by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, was referred to the relevant committee by the National Assembly on Friday.
“The current security situation requires a robust response that goes beyond the existing legal framework,” the bills Statement of Objectives reads.
The bill proposes an amendment in Section 11EEEE of the act to allow the ‘preventive detention’ of any person involved in offence against security or defence of Pakistan.
However, the reasons of the arrest will have to be recorded and further arrest will be subject to Article 10 of the constitution.
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The person under arrest will be investigated by a JIT headed by an officer of atleast SP level.
While the bill says credible information is needed for the arrest, it adds that reasonable suspicion will also suffice.
The act lists target killing, kidnapping for ransom, bhatta, extortion and maintainance of supplies and services as actionable offences.
“This provision would allow for the preventive detention of suspects based on credible information or reasonable suspicion, thereby disrupting terrorist plots before they can be executed. This will also provide Law Enforcement Agencies with the legal backing to conduct more effective operations against terrorism,” the bill said.
