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2 clusters · 10 sources · 3 days · First seen 11 days ago · Last updated 9 days ago

Punjab Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2026

Overview

The Punjab Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2026, a piece of legislation designed to protect judicial officers, prosecutors, investigators, and witnesses from security threats. The law introduces measures such as video conferencing, electronic links, and voice modification technology to maintain the confidentiality of participants. It also allows for hearings to be conducted at secure locations or via video links from prisons.

A significant feature of the law is the ability to conduct trials under conditions of near-total secrecy. This includes permitting judges, prosecutors, and witnesses to remain anonymous, sealing trial records, and allowing appeals to be heard by judges who are not informed of the identity of the original presiding judge.

Under the new provisions, a senior bureaucrat acting as a ‘designated authority’ can classify specific terrorism cases or entire categories of cases as ‘special security cases.’ The identity of this official is to remain confidential, known only to the chief justice of the Lahore High Court.

The bill passed following a walkout by opposition lawmakers. Critics, including rights groups, lawyers, and political leaders, have condemned the law as “draconian.” Concerns have been raised that the legislation concentrates excessive power in an unnamed official and could be used to target political rivals or government critics.

Entities

Lahore High Court · Punjab Assembly · Pakistan · Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan · Punjab

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Punjab Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2026 on August 31. 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] 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 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] Opposition politicians staged a walkout to protest the passing of the bill. haitigazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · trinidadtribune.com
[● 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

Timeline

9 days ago

[POLITICS] 6 sources
Punjab Assembly passes law allowing secret terrorism trials
Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2026, allowing secret trials with anonymous judges, prosecutors, and witnesses.
11 days ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Punjab Assembly passes Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2026
The Punjab Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2026, introducing anonymous trials and voice modification technology to protect judicial participants, amid opposition claims of political targeting.

Sources

aljazeera.com · barbadosgazette.com · dailymeezan.com · dailytimes.com.pk · en.dailypakistan.com.pk · haitigazette.com · jamaicainquirer.com · siamevent.com · thefrontierpost.com · trinidadtribune.com