ISLAMABAD: On Friday, senators criticized the government’s decision to grant special powers to the army and civil armed forces in Balochistan, which would allow them to detain terrorism suspects for up to three months.
Lawmakers raised concerns a day after the federal cabinet approved an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, giving security forces broad authority for “more effective counterterrorism operations.”
During a parliamentary session, senators warned that giving security forces the power to detain “terror suspects” or individuals deemed a threat to national security for three months would further destabilize the region, especially after recent coordinated attacks in Balochistan.
National Party Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi highlighted the call in parliament for dialogue with estranged Baloch youth, expressing regret that the government instead opted to grant special powers to security forces. He argued that the proposed legislation would empower security personnel to enter homes without warrants and make arrests, fearing that the government might misuse its majority to pass the amendment.
“The biggest issue in Balochistan is enforced disappearances, which have set the entire province on fire,” Buledi stated, pointing out that families of missing persons remain in the dark about their loved ones’ fates, while those who could not be questioned by the public are being granted legal cover for sweeping powers. He shared his experience of his party’s vice president being arrested during a raid and expressed concern that such laws in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would only worsen the crisis, as the use of force would not solve the problem.
Awami National Party chief Aimal Wali Khan also rejected the move, warning that if passed by parliament, the law would likely be challenged in the Supreme Court for violating fundamental rights. He argued that the legislation would effectively “legalize enforced disappearances,” especially when the issue of missing persons remains unresolved.
JUI-F lawmaker Kamran Murtaza opposed granting special powers to the army and civil armed forces, expressing concern over what he saw as discriminatory treatment of the people of Balochistan. He pointed to recent decisions, including a ban on public transport at night in the province, as alarming developments.
Murtaza questioned what message would be sent to the world if Balochistan was turned into a “no-go area,” emphasizing that public protest was the only option left for the people and their representatives.
Leader of the opposition in the Senate, Shibli Faraz, criticized the ruling coalition for not introducing legislation in the public interest. He condemned the recent bill regulating public assemblies in Islamabad as “anti-people and anti-democracy,” saying it embarrassed the legislative body.
Faraz also criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) coalition, following the ouster of Imran Khan’s government, for passing two controversial laws: one banning the use of electronic voting machines in general elections and the other curbing the powers of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
**Defence Day Resolution**
The Senate also adopted a resolution moved by PPP Senator Poonjo Bheel to commemorate Pakistan’s Defence Day. The resolution declared national unity and support for the armed forces, recognizing their sacrifices and readiness to serve the country in every challenging situation.
