September 14; PILDAT has expressed disappointment that the Federal Government has failed to introduce amendments to the Anti-terrorism Laws in the Parliament and both Houses of the Parliament prorogued without receiving the Bill from the Government for consideration. PILDAT expressed deep reservations against what appears to be the Government’s lack of interest in the presentation and passage of the revised Anti Terrorism Laws in the country.

The 45th session of the 13th National Assembly, that lasted from September 3-13, was prorogued yesterday without the introduction of the revised Anti-Terrorism bill 2012 and the Right to Fair Trial bill 2012, both of which were passed by the Federal Cabinet last week. The National Assembly, which has passed 3 Government bills during this session, was not even presented with the revised anti-terrorism laws to begin their scrutiny, PILDAT criticised.

PILDAT noted that the attempts to amend the existing terrorism laws by the Government appeared to be only half-hearted. The Government introduced the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2010, proposing 25 amendments in the existing Anti-terrorism Act, 1997, in the Senate of Pakistan two years ago in July 2010, which, after remaining with the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, was reportedly withdrawn earlier this year. The revised laws, approved by the Cabinet earlier this month, were said to be presented before the Parliament for scrutiny and passage during this session. Once again, however, the Government chose to ignore the necessity and urgency of introducing and passing more comprehensive laws to contain and thwart terrorism in Pakistan.

Terrorism remains the biggest challenge confronting Pakistan today. Pakistan requires a more effective legal regime, one that is implemented in letter and spirit, and which is overseen by the Parliament. The state has to maintain a balance between human rights, individual liberty and anti-terrorism efforts, PILDAT statement concluded.