Punjab Assembly passes controversial anti-terror law

The Punjab Assembly has passed the Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026 amid strong opposition protests and a walkout, introducing a new mechanism for “special security cases” involving proceedings where extraordinary protection is considered necessary.

The legislation proposes amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, including provisions for confidential identities of judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers, police officers, witnesses and other persons involved in designated special security cases.

What Changed Under the New Law?

Special Security Case Mechanism Introduced

The bill seeks to insert a new Section 21AAA into the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The new provision would establish a mechanism for cases in which participants are considered to require extraordinary security protection.

Under the proposed mechanism:

• Certain cases or classes of cases may be declared “special security cases”
• A designated authority would have the power to make such a declaration
• The case could then be assigned to an Anti-Terrorism Court judge
• Special security arrangements could be made for proceedings

Designated Authority Given New Role

Under the proposed law, a designated authority would be an officer of at least BS-20.

The identity of the designated authority would itself remain confidential.

The authority could declare a case or class of cases as a special security case and request the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court to assign the case to an Anti-Terrorism Court judge.

Identities of Participants to Remain Confidential

The bill proposes that the identities of several persons involved in special security cases shall not be disclosed.

These include:

• Judges
• Public prosecutors
• Defence counsel
• Police officers
• Witnesses
• Other persons involved in the proceedings

The provision is aimed at providing additional security to individuals participating in sensitive terrorism-related proceedings.

Judges’ Names Not Disclosed

Under the proposed mechanism, judicial orders would carry official titles instead of the judges’ names.

This would allow judicial proceedings to continue while keeping the identities of judges confidential.

Witnesses to Be Identified Through Codes

The bill also proposes that witnesses in special security cases would not be identified through their names.

Instead, witnesses would be identified through codes issued by the designated authority.

Secure Locations and Video Proceedings

The proposed law would allow proceedings in special security cases to be conducted at secure premises.

Proceedings could also take place through video links, including from prisons.

The government would additionally be able to adopt other security measures it considers appropriate for the protection of participants.

Opposition Rejects the Bill

The legislation was passed amid strong opposition from opposition lawmakers.

Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi described the proposed law as “draconian” and alleged that it could be used to target political opponents, particularly PTI leaders and activists.

The opposition also raised concerns over the involvement of a BS-20 designated official in advising the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court regarding whether cases should be classified as special security cases.

Concerns Over Fair Trial Rights

Opposition lawmaker Ahmar Rashid Bhatti raised constitutional concerns over provisions allowing the identities and voices of judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers and witnesses to be concealed or altered.

He argued that such provisions could conflict with Article 10-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair and transparent trial.

He also compared the proposed legislation with a British colonial-era law from 1909 that was opposed by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Speaker Defends the Legislation

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan defended the bill and ruled that it could legally be placed on the agenda under Article 142 of the Constitution, which deals with legislative powers relating to criminal law.

The speaker highlighted Pakistan’s experience during the war on terror and argued that witness protection and physical security had previously been inadequate in terrorism cases.

He also urged the opposition to suggest constructive amendments instead of opposing the legislation altogether.

Opposition Walks Out

Following the heated debate, opposition members chanted slogans against the bill and walked out of the Assembly.

During the proceedings, opposition lawmaker Waqas Mann also pointed out an alleged lack of quorum.

The treasury benches, however, managed to maintain the required quorum.

With the opposition absent, their proposed amendments were rejected and the House proceeded to approve the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

What Does the Amendment Aim to Achieve?

The legislation seeks to:

• Introduce a special security case mechanism
• Provide enhanced security for participants in terrorism-related proceedings
• Protect the identities of judges and other judicial participants
• Protect witnesses through coded identities
• Allow proceedings at secure locations
• Permit proceedings through video links, including from prisons
• Enable additional security measures where considered necessary
• Establish a formal process for designating special security cases

Key Provisions of the Bill

• The Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been passed by the Punjab Assembly
• A new Section 21AAA is proposed in the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997
• A designated BS-20 officer may declare a case or class of cases a special security case
• The designated authority’s identity would remain confidential
• The Lahore High Court Chief Justice would assign designated cases to an Anti-Terrorism Court judge
• Identities of judges, prosecutors, defence counsel, police officers and witnesses would not be disclosed
• Judicial orders would use official titles instead of judges’ names
• Witnesses would be identified through codes
• Proceedings could be held at secure premises
• Video-link proceedings, including from prisons, would be permitted
• The government could adopt additional security measures
• Opposition lawmakers protested and walked out before the bill was approved

The Punjab Assembly has passed the Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing a proposed special security case mechanism designed to protect participants in sensitive terrorism proceedings through confidential identities, secure locations and video-link hearings, while opposition lawmakers have raised concerns over constitutional rights and potential misuse of the law.