Pakistan enacts anti-terror law expanding detention powers of security forces

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law a controversial anti-terrorism amendment that grants security forces broader authority to detain suspects, while also adding safeguards meant to prevent abuse.

The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was formally enacted on Sunday after clearing both houses of parliament earlier this month.

The law gives the armed forces and civil armed forces the power to hold people suspected of involvement in terrorism, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, or other threats to national security for up to three months based on credible information or evidence.

Detention beyond three months will be allowed only under Article 10 of Pakistan’s constitution if sufficient grounds exist. Investigations into such detentions will be carried out by Joint Investigation Teams, or JITs, composed of police, intelligence officials, and representatives from the armed forces and other law enforcement bodies.

Unlike past measures, the law includes new checks. It has a three-year sunset clause, meaning it will expire unless renewed, and it introduces judicial oversight to ensure transparency and provide legal recourse against arbitrary detentions.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who introduced the amendment in November 2024, argued that Pakistan’s worsening security environment required restoring powers that had lapsed in 2016. A similar amendment was first enacted in 2014 but expired after two years. Naqvi said the renewed authority allows security agencies to act preemptively before terrorist attacks can be carried out.

The bill passed Pakistan’s National Assembly on Aug. 13 despite opposition protests and a walkout by parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. The Senate approved it later, paving the way for Zardari’s signature.

Lawmakers from the governing Pakistan Peoples Party supported the measure, while opposition leaders warned it could lead to misuse and political victimization.

Officials, however, said the amendment strikes a balance between strengthening counterterrorism capacity and protecting civil liberties. The new provisions will remain in effect for three years unless parliament votes to extend them.