Punjab Opposition leader challenges anti-terror amendments
LAHORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Moeenuddin Riaz Qureshi on Thursday approached the Lahore High Court against recent amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, allowing terrorism cases to be tried under a confidential regime in which the identities of judges, prosecutors, defence counsel and witnesses may be concealed. The petition, filed through his counsel, challenged…
LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Leader of the Opposition Moeenuddin Riaz Qureshi submitted a petition to the Lahore High Court on Thursday, challenging recent amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The amendments introduce Section 21AAA, which establishes a confidential regime for terrorism cases where the identities of judges, prosecutors, defence counsel and witnesses can be concealed.
Qureshi argued that this provision infringed upon constitutional rights to due process, fair trial and dignity enshrined in Articles 9, 10-A and 14 of the Constitution. He also questioned the legal basis for applying a confidential regime to such cases. Qureshi requested the Lahore High Court to declare the amended provisions unconstitutional and void, and to suspend their implementation until the court adjudicates on the constitutional challenge.
He further sought an injunction restraining authorities from categorizing any case as a "special security case" pending the court's decision on the constitutional challenge.
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