National Assembly Approves Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024 Despite Opposition Uproar

The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024 by a majority vote, in a tense session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, marked by loud slogans and protests from opposition lawmakers.

Opposition parties, including JUI-F and PTI, strongly opposed the bill, calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines constitutional rights. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman warned that such laws treat every citizen as a criminal from birth, giving authorities unchecked powers to arrest and detain anyone, with the burden of proof shifted to the accused.

PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan argued that the bill violated Article 10 of the Constitution and defied a Supreme Court ruling against laws contrary to fundamental rights. He criticized amendments to Section 11, which add the word “government,” enabling detention for three months, extendable for another three months, calling it a grave human rights violation.

Despite the uproar, the treasury benches pushed the bill through, underscoring deep political divisions over anti-terror legislation in Pakistan.