Nat'l Assembly passes bill extending probe into 2022 crowd crush

On September 3rd, 2026, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) voiced deep apprehension over the Punjab Assembly's approval of the Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026. The commission cautioned that the bill's provisions, which permit certain cases to be labeled "special security cases," could compromise fair-trial standards and enable abuses of state authority.

Under the amendment, a government-appointed officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, possesses the authority to designate a case as a "special security case." Once such a classification is made, the identities of judges, prosecutors, police officers, witnesses, and defense attorneys may be kept confidential. The HRCP argues that the amendment fails to clearly delineate the specific situations in which these extraordinary powers can be utilized, sparking concerns that they could potentially be employed against common citizens, political adversaries, or protesters under the guise of security.

While the HRCP recognizes the government's responsibility to shield judicial and investigative officials from genuine threats, it questions whether the necessity for such extensive measures has been substantiated. The rights organization highlights that the secrecy mandated by the legislation raises significant concerns under Articles 9, 10A, and 14 of Pakistan's Constitution, which pertain to the security of individuals, the right to a fair trial, and protection of dignity, respectively.

Additionally, the HRCP cites Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which safeguards fair-trial rights.

According to the HRCP, the lack of transparency surrounding the identities of key participants in legal proceedings could have grave implications for an accused individual. An erroneously accused person might be barred from effectively contesting the evidence against them or questioning the fairness of the proceedings. The commission asserts that this amendment is part of a wider trend wherein security arguments are employed to augment state power at the expense of fundamental rights.

The HRCP urges the bill to be reevaluated and aligned with constitutional and international fair-trial guarantees, demanding that any security measures designed to protect judicial or investigative officials be precisely defined, thoroughly regulated, and subjected to independent judicial oversight, ensuring that exceptional powers cannot be abused capriciously.