ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday gave assent to the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after its passage from both houses of parliament earlier this month.
According to a statement from the Presidency, the new counterterrorism law seeks to strengthen Pakistan’s security framework while ensuring judicial oversight and legal safeguards to prevent abuse.
“The amendment includes transparency measures, accountability in detentions, and a built-in three-year sunset clause to limit its duration,” the statement said.
The law provides recourse against misuse of powers that were previously exercised arbitrarily, ensuring that counterterrorism operations remain within a defined legal boundary.
Parliamentary documents noted that Pakistan’s prevailing security challenges required “a robust response beyond the scope of existing laws.” The amendment allows for preventative detention of suspects on the basis of credible intelligence or reasonable suspicion, aimed at disrupting terrorist plots before execution.
The legislation also gives law enforcement agencies the mandate to use Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs)—comprising police, intelligence, and security officials—for coordinated investigations and intelligence gathering.
Under the bill, individuals suspected of activities threatening national security or public safety can be detained for up to three months. This also applies to those involved in target killings, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion, giving law enforcement greater operational flexibility.
Officials said the new amendment strikes a balance between effective counterterrorism measures and protection of civil liberties, marking what they called a “critical step” in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
