President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2025, marking a significant step in strengthening Pakistan’s counter-terrorism framework.

📜 Key Highlights of the Amendment

Expanded Definition of Terrorism: Now includes cyber-terrorism, digital radicalization, and financial facilitation networks.
Enhanced Penalties: Tougher punishments for those providing funding, logistics, or safe havens to militants.
Witness Protection: Stronger measures for securing witnesses in terrorism-related trials.
Speedy Trials: Special anti-terrorism courts mandated to conclude cases within 90 days.
Proscription of Entities: Simplified mechanism to ban extremist groups and freeze assets linked to terrorism.

⚖️ Govt’s Position

The Interior Ministry said the amendment is aimed at closing loopholes exploited by militant and extremist outfits.
The bill aligns with Pakistan’s FATF obligations and broader counter-terrorism strategy.

🔍 Opposition & Concerns

Some rights groups and opposition lawmakers have expressed concerns about possible misuse of expanded powers by law enforcement.
Calls for strict oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse of authority.

🚨 Next Steps

The Ministry of Law will issue implementation rules within 30 days.
Security agencies to receive updated SOPs and training in line with the new legal framework.