ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday introduced comprehensive legislation in the Senate to create adequate deterrence and curb terrorism in the country in the most effective manner.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik introduced the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2010 to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, which contains several measures to make the law harder on terrorists. He said that there was an urgent need for this law.
The proposed bill, which was referred to the committee concerned for further deliberations, would help plug the loopholes and improve the grey areas in the law to combat terrorism in wider terms.
Active members: Under the proposed bill, if the members of a proscribed organisation are found continuing their activities, they would not be issued any passport, granted any loan or issued credit cards from a financial institution. No fresh arms licences would be issued to such people and the licences already issued would stand void, the law states.
Under the proposed legislation, if someone is found possessing an explosive substance, with or without an explosive device, without lawful justification, it would be presumed, unless proven contrary, that the explosive substance would be used for terrorism purposes.
Assets of a convicted terrorist, which are disproportionate to his known sources of income, would be presumed, unless proven contrary, to have been acquired through terrorist activities and shall be liable to be fortified.
Jail term: Under the proposed amendments, a person arrested under terrorism charges can be kept behind bars for 90 days and his detention cannot be challenged in any court. The detainee would be produced in-camera before the court within 24 hours.
The bill said that destroying government and private properties with force, resisting against law enforcers, glorifying terrorists and establishing illegal FM radio stations would be considered acts of terrorism.
Under the proposed bill, the federal government may authorise any person to intercept calls and messages and trace calls through any telecommunication system. During a war, hostilities against Pakistan or internal aggression or to defend the security of Pakistan, the federal government would have preference and priority in the telecommunication system over any licence.
No court would grant bail to a person accused of an offence under this act, punishable with death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years. According to the new law, a confessional statement made before the district police officer involving an attack on members of the armed forces, civil armed forces, law enforcement agencies, government installations, hotels or public property would be admissible in evidence. The standing committee concerned is likely to complete deliberations on the bill by Friday and bring it to the House by Monday to be discussed for the next three days.