ISLAMABAD: The federal government has taken a significant step to bolster national security by introducing amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act to allow the police authorities to detain any suspected individual for three months.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented the amendments, which were subsequently referred to the relevant committee by the National Assembly. The proposed changes aim to grant authorities the power to detain individuals suspected of terrorism-related activities for up to three months.
The bill seeks to amend Section 11EEEE of the Anti-Terrorism Act, allowing for the “preventive detention” of persons involved in offenses against Pakistan’s security or defense.
However, the reasons for arrest must be documented, and any further detention will be subject to Article 10 of the Constitution. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT), headed by an officer of at least SP level, will investigate individuals under arrest.
The bill emphasizes that credible information or reasonable suspicion will suffice for arrest, enabling law enforcement agencies to disrupt terrorist plots before execution.
This move is expected to provide the necessary legal backing for more effective operations against terrorism.
