SC reserves order in terrorism definition case

CJP says cases getting media hype land in ATCs, military courts

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Asif Saeed Khosa has observed that there is obscurity in the anti-terrorism laws, which are needed to be defined in clear terms.

A seven-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the CJP Khosa, reserved on Tuesday its judgment in a case pertaining to the definition of 'terrorism'.  The CJP observed that criminal cases have also been included in the category of terrorist acts.

“Attacks on political gatherings also fell into the category of terrorism according to the anti-terrorism law.  Whether there was a category of undemocratic political processions?” he asked.

He remarked that creating a sense of insecurity among the people deliberately also came under the definition of terrorism.  The CJP observed that even the United Nations and the United States have not been able to define an act of terrorism so far.

“There seemed to be psychological aspect [to the idea] as any criminal incident that is highlighted through media is shifted to the anti-terrorism courts or military courts,” he said.

“Every criminal act does not fall into the category of a terror act. It is the government's responsibility to control police for checking crimes, he added.    The bench later reserved its judgment. APP