Punjab Assembly Approves Secret Terrorism Trials

The Punjab Provincial Assembly in Pakistan passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026 on August 31, authorizing judicial proceedings conducted in near-total secrecy.

This legislation grants the provincial government the power to appoint an anonymous official. This official can designate specific terrorism cases as special security matters, thereby shielding the identities of judges, prosecutors, and witnesses from the accused.

New Measures Bolster Secrecy Under the new legal framework Under the new legal framework, court records are to be sealed. Hearings may be conducted remotely via videolink, incorporating voice-altering technology to disguise participants. The law grants the designated authority broad discretion to categorize cases. It provides no clear legal parameters for this classification and no avenues for the accused to contest the decision. The provincial government argues these measures are essential to protect judicial personnel from threats posed by armed groups. Critics, however, contend that the significant lack of transparency undermines constitutional due process rights. Concerns Over Due Process Legal experts and opposition legislators argue the law centralizes substantial power within the executive branch. They suggest this could potentially facilitate the targeting of political dissidents. The government cites increasing security risks as justification for the bill. However, official data indicates that the vast majority of terrorism-related fatalities in Pakistan occur in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, rather than in Punjab.

The Punjab Provincial Assembly

The legislation contains no expiration date. It also includes a provision allowing the government to implement additional, unspecified measures at its discretion without further legislative approval.

Potential Broad Implications

The implementation of such broad powers in Punjab could set a precedent for other provinces facing security challenges. For the provincial government, the law aims to enhance security by protecting judicial actors. However, it risks increasing scrutiny from international human rights organizations and potentially exacerbating domestic political tensions due to concerns over civil liberties and the rule of law.

If the law's application extends beyond clear terrorism cases, it could erode public trust and destabilize the region's legal framework.