Law strengthened: Banned organisations to no longer benefit from changing their names
Senate passes bill, already approved by the NA, to make anti-terrorism laws stringent.
Amendments passed under the bill tackle the growing instances of registering new organizations. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Strengthening the hand of the law in the fight against terrorism, the upper house of the Parliament unanimously passed the Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill 2013, on Thursday.
The bill, which has already been passed by the National Assembly, will become an Act after it is signed into law by the President of Pakistan. Moved by Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek in the last sitting of the 91st session of the upper house, the amendment bill seeks to deal even more strictly with terrorist elements posing a threat to national security.
The bill highlights that the growing menace of terrorism, coupled with attacks on the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, as well as civilian and government installations are adversely affecting the overall security situation in the country.
Amendments passed under the bill tackle the growing instances of registering new organizations. As per the new amended law “if any or all office bearers, activists or associates of a proscribed organization form a new organization under a different name, upon suspicion about their involvement in similar activities, the said organization shall also be deemed to be a proscribed organization.”
Furthermore, the amendment highlights that if members or office bearers of a banned organization continue their involvement in prohibited activities, the government make take action against these individuals.
It states that such individuals may be stopped from travelling abroad, getting a passport, getting any kind of financial assistance including loans and credit cards. Additionally, any arms licenses, if already issued, shall be deemed to have been cancelled and the arms shall be deposited forthwith in the nearest police station.
Under a new section in the Act, the government can now order preventive detention of any person who has been concerned in any offence under the Anti Terrorism Act. This detention period can be extended up to thirty days at a time, but not exceeding ninety days by an Anti Terrorism Court.
Outlining investigative mechanisms, the amendment states that a police officer, not bellow the rank of Superintendent of Police, or a Joint interrogation Team notified by the government will conduct investigations. It also states that during such investigations the officers will now be able to conduct searches, arrest people and seize property.
Meanwhile, after the passage of the bill and before being prorogued for an indefinite time, the Senate discussed the macro economic situation of the country and reports by the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges and the Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2013.
Strengthening the hand of the law in the fight against terrorism, the upper house of the Parliament unanimously passed the Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill 2013, on Thursday.
The bill, which has already been passed by the National Assembly, will become an Act after it is signed into law by the President of Pakistan. Moved by Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek in the last sitting of the 91st session of the upper house, the amendment bill seeks to deal even more strictly with terrorist elements posing a threat to national security.
The bill highlights that the growing menace of terrorism, coupled with attacks on the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, as well as civilian and government installations are adversely affecting the overall security situation in the country.
Amendments passed under the bill tackle the growing instances of registering new organizations. As per the new amended law “if any or all office bearers, activists or associates of a proscribed organization form a new organization under a different name, upon suspicion about their involvement in similar activities, the said organization shall also be deemed to be a proscribed organization.”
Furthermore, the amendment highlights that if members or office bearers of a banned organization continue their involvement in prohibited activities, the government make take action against these individuals.
It states that such individuals may be stopped from travelling abroad, getting a passport, getting any kind of financial assistance including loans and credit cards. Additionally, any arms licenses, if already issued, shall be deemed to have been cancelled and the arms shall be deposited forthwith in the nearest police station.
Under a new section in the Act, the government can now order preventive detention of any person who has been concerned in any offence under the Anti Terrorism Act. This detention period can be extended up to thirty days at a time, but not exceeding ninety days by an Anti Terrorism Court.
Outlining investigative mechanisms, the amendment states that a police officer, not bellow the rank of Superintendent of Police, or a Joint interrogation Team notified by the government will conduct investigations. It also states that during such investigations the officers will now be able to conduct searches, arrest people and seize property.
Meanwhile, after the passage of the bill and before being prorogued for an indefinite time, the Senate discussed the macro economic situation of the country and reports by the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges and the Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2013.