Government Pushes Through Key Legislation Amid Opposition Dissent
ISLAMABAD – In a charged session on Tuesday, the Senate passed the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, despite significant resistance and vocal protests from the opposition benches. The Bill, aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capabilities, was introduced by Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control, Muhammad Tallal Badar, and passed after a clause-by-clause reading.
JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza proposed several amendments to the Bill, arguing for deeper scrutiny. However, these were rejected by the House through majority vote. The government defended the legislation as a necessary response to Pakistan’s ongoing security challenges. According to the statement of objects and reasons, the amendment reinstates Section 11EEEE of the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997. This empowers the government, Armed Forces, and Civil Armed Forces to detain individuals suspected of posing a significant threat to national security, based on credible information or reasonable suspicion.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar assured the Senate that the Bill aligns with the Constitution and has already passed judicial review. He further stated that a three-year sunset clause has been added to ensure the amendment is temporary and subject to review. Additionally, Clause 2 mandates that any detainee must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.
Calls for Oversight and Transparency
Despite agreeing on the need to fight terrorism, several opposition senators, including Barrister Syed Ali Zafar and Noorul Haq Qadri, expressed concern over possible misuse of the law for political purposes. They urged the government to refer the Bill to the Standing Committee or even the Council of Islamic Ideology for further input.
Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui voiced strong support for firm anti-terror measures, reminding the House of the heavy toll terrorism has taken on the nation, with nearly 100,000 lives lost. He called for unity and responsible legislation, cautioning against using such laws as political tools.
Siddiqui, while backing the Bill, also condemned past political victimizations, referencing arrests of figures like Fawad Chaudhry and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and emphasized that dignity and legal process should be ensured for all.
In addition to the anti-terrorism bill, the Senate unanimously passed the Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025 and the Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by Ministers Muhammad Tallal Badar and Ali Pervaiz Malik, respectively.
