Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
today directed authorities to propose comprehensive amendments
to Pakistan`s Anti-Terrorism Act so that "detrimental
punishment" could be given to people involved in heinous
crimes like terrorism.
Gilani issued the directive interior and law ministries
while chairing a meeting that was attended by Interior
Minister Rehman Malik, Law Minister Mola Bux Chandio, the
Attorney General and other senior officials.
The current law does not offer an "effective regime" for
criminals who get off "scot-free due to the legal lacuna in
the prevalent law", Gilani said.
"The rate of conviction is terribly low, (which)
embolden the criminals to revert to their abhorrent activities
against the society and the state," he said.
Mailk briefed the meeting about the necessity of
amendments in the Anti- Terrorism Act of 2010 and argued that
Pakistan "needs such stringent amendments because we are in a
situation that warrants special laws".
Several proposals forwarded by the interior and law
ministries and by experts in criminal law were discussed at
the meeting.
Gilani said all stakeholders should be on board while
proposing amendments in the Act because an "element of
effectiveness is critical to frustrate the designs of those
who are up against the society and its way of life".
Terrorists and criminal elements "cannot be allowed to
hold the society as their hostage at gun point", he said.
PTI
