Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Amnesty Warns Punjab Anti-Terror Law Threatens Fair Trials
Punjab, a province in Pakistan, has changed a law about terrorism cases.
The change could allow some trials to be held in secret.
Amnesty International says people accused of crimes should still have a fair trial, including a public hearing.
The Punjab Assembly passed the change on August 31, despite objections from some lawmakers and civil society groups.
The governor approved it.
People have challenged the amendment in the Lahore High Court.
Amnesty says secrecy could make it harder for others to check whether trials are fair.
It also warns that other provinces might make similar rules.
Amnesty International says Punjab’s 2026 amendment to Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act could permit secret trials.
The Punjab Assembly passed the amendment on August 31 despite objections from opposition members and civil society.
The amendment was assented to by the governor and has been challenged in the Lahore High Court.
Amnesty warns secrecy could limit oversight and worsen risks of miscarriages of justice under the anti-terrorism law.
The organisation says similar laws could be adopted by other provinces if the amendment takes effect.
- Who
- Amnesty International, the Punjab Assembly, and opponents of the amendment, including Punjab Assembly opposition leader Moeenuddin Riaz Qureshi.
- What
- Amnesty International warned that a Punjab amendment to Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act could permit secret trials and threaten fair-trial rights.
- When
- The Punjab Assembly passed the amendment on August 31, 2026.
- Where
- Punjab province, Pakistan; petitions challenging the law were filed at the Lahore High Court.
- Why
- Amnesty says the amendment could undermine public hearings and independent oversight, increasing the risk of miscarriages of justice.
Critics and rights groups
Supporters of the amendment
Secret proceedings and fair-trial rights
Critics and rights groups
Amnesty International and opponents say secret trials threaten public hearings, transparency, and fair-trial protections.
Supporters of the amendment
The articles do not provide a defence or stated rationale from supporters of the amendment.
Legislative process
Critics and rights groups
Opposition members and civil society raised constitutional, procedural, and fair-trial concerns; opposition members walked out during passage.
Supporters of the amendment
The articles report that the amendment was passed by the Punjab Assembly and assented to by the governor, but do not include their explanations.
- Legislation
- Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2026, amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
- Assembly passage
- Passed by the Punjab provincial Assembly on August 31, 2026.
- Governor
- The governor assented to the amendment.
- Legal challenge
- Several petitions have challenged the amendment at the Lahore High Court.
- Amnesty concern
- The organisation says secret trials could exceed permissible exceptions to the right to a fair trial.
- Provincial reach
- The amendment applies to Punjab, which the article says has 50.9 per cent of Pakistan’s population.
- Potential wider effect
- Amnesty warns other provinces could pass similar legislation.