Upper House passes Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2025

ISLAMABAD: The upper house of parliament (Senate) on Tuesday passed the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2025.

The bill was presented by Minister of State Talal Chaudhry while amendments proposed by JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza were rejected. PTI members walked out of the house in protest after the bill was approved.

During the session chaired by Deputy Chairman Senate Syedal Khan Nasir, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry presented amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act 2025.

The opposition protested and raised slogans during the session. JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza presented an amendment to the bill, which was rejected by the house.

Speaking on the Anti-Terrorism Bill, Senator Kamran Murtaza said that the problem has become more serious with the passage of time due to the introduction of laws related to terrorism. If this amendment had been sent to a committee, it would not have been the end of the world.

He added: “The bill mentions a period of 90 days, but there are proposals to extend it further. Why is Article 10 being used for protective custody? We have been told that those who were ‘missing persons’ will no longer be considered missing.”

He criticized the bill, saying: “How can one wrong be justified by comparing it with another wrong? Faisal Sabzwari’s remarks seem to suggest that he is supporting it out of compulsion.”

Senator Kamran Murtaza also suggested that the bill be sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) with the proposed amendments.

During the passage of the bill, PTI members walked out of the house in protest, while only Senator Humayun Mohmand remained behind in the house in opposition.