The Balochistan Assembly has passed the Anti-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act, 2025, empowering law enforcement agencies to detain individuals for up to three month without charges. The bill, introduced by Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) MPA Mir Sadiq Sanjrani, gained support from JUI-F MPA Shahida Rauf, who emphasized the need for a thorough discussion of each clause to ensure clarity and avoid haste.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that the issue of missing persons has been exploited to discredit state institutions, asserting that the amendment addresses the problem. He clarified that those detained must be presented to a magistrate within three months and explained the establishment of detention and rehabilitation centers.
The detainees would be assessed by an Oversight Board, including civilians and experts, to evaluate their case and recommend rehabilitation if necessary. The legislation will be effective for six years, with a provision for a two-year extension by the provincial government.
