Rabbani opposes Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani termed the introduction of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the National Assembly (NA), empowering the government, armed forces and civil armed forces with the authority to detain individuals for three months is in violation of the fundamental rights provided in the Constitution, 1973.

While terming the government violation of the Fundamental Rights provided in the Constitution, 1973, Rabbani questioned to the government through a statement on Sunday that the increase in terrorist activities is acknowledged, but the government needs to answer as to why, it has failed to give a detailed briefing by the stakeholders to an in-camera session of Parliament.

He questioned, when such amendments were introduced in 2014, in the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, did the investigation and prosecution improve. “Whether, as a result of these detentions and subsequent inquiries, the rate of conviction in anti-terrorist courts increased, he questions.

The former chairman Senate further asked whether, as a consequence of 2014 amendments, the number of missing persons was reduced. Rabbani said the amendment provides that the government, armed forces and civil armed forces may issue an order for preventive detention of a person for up to 90 days which may be extended for an additional three months for inquiry. “The initial detention is in violation of Article 10, Constitution, 1973,” he said.

He said that the words used in the amended section 11, amendment Bill, are vague, open ended and can be construed in any manner whatsoever. Rabbani viewed that the term national interest is vague and can be used for other purposes other than apprehending terrorists. “The Anti-Terrorist Act, 1997, has a history of being misused,” he said.