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Punjab Assembly passes law allowing secret terrorism trials
The Punjab Assembly has passed the Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2026, a law that allows terrorism trials to be conducted under conditions of near-total secrecy. The legislation permits judges, prosecutors, and witnesses to remain anonymous during proceedings. Additionally, the law allows for trial records to be sealed and enables appeals to be heard by judges who are not informed of who presided over the original trial.
Under the new provisions, the government may appoint a senior bureaucrat as a 'designated authority' to determine which cases qualify for these special security measures. The identity of this official will remain confidential, known only to the chief justice of the Lahore High Court. The official has the power to declare specific terrorism cases or entire categories of cases as 'special security cases' if they deem protection necessary.
The bill passed on August 31 following a walkout by opposition politicians. Critics, including lawyers, rights groups, and analysts, have expressed concern that the law concentrates excessive power in an unnamed official and could potentially be utilized to target government critics.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Critics argue the law concentrates power in an unnamed official and could be used against government critics. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The identity of the designated authority is kept confidential and is known only to the chief justice of the Lahore High Court. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The law allows for trial records to be sealed. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The new law allows terrorism trials to be conducted in near-total secrecy. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Judges, prosecutors, and witnesses are permitted to remain anonymous under the legislation. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Opposition politicians staged a walkout to protest the passing of the bill. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The government can appoint a senior bureaucrat as a 'designated authority' to decide which cases fall under special provisions. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Punjab Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2026 on August 31. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com