Gilani seeks proposal for amendment into Pak anti-terror act

Islamabad, Oct 5: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today (Oct 5) directed authorities to propose comprehensive amendments to Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act so that "detrimental punishment" could be given to people involved in heinous crimes like terrorism.

Gilani issued the directive interior and law ministries while chairing a meeting that was attended by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Law Minister Mola Bux Chandio, the Attorney General and other senior officials. The current law does not offer an "effective regime" for criminals who get off "scot-free due to the legal lacuna in the prevalent law", Gilani said.

"The rate of conviction is terribly low, (which) embolden the criminals to revert to their abhorrent activities against the society and the state," he said. Mailk briefed the meeting about the necessity of amendments in the Anti- Terrorism Act of 2010 and argued that Pakistan "needs such stringent amendments because we are in a situation that warrants special laws".

Several proposals forwarded by the interior and law ministries and by experts in criminal law were discussed at the meeting. Gilani said all stakeholders should be on board while proposing amendments in the Act because an "element of effectiveness is critical to frustrate the designs of those who are up against the society and its way of life". Terrorists and criminal elements "cannot be allowed to hold the society as their hostage at gun point", he said.

PTI