QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly has passed an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), permitting authorities to detain suspects without charges for up to three months. The bill, introduced by BAP’s Mir Sadiq Sanjrani, was supported by most parties, though some members urged thorough debate before passage.
The amendment allows preventive detention during inquiries conducted by senior police officers or Joint Interrogation Teams (JITs), including those formed by intelligence agencies. Detainees may be sent to rehabilitation or de-radicalisation centres, and oversight will be provided by boards comprising both civilian and military members, as well as medical and legal experts.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti defended the legislation, claiming it prevents misuse of the “missing persons” narrative and mandates that any arrest must be presented before a magistrate after three months. Detainees’ families and lawyers will be informed of their whereabouts.
The law includes a six-year sunset clause, with a possible two-year extension by provincial notification.