LAHORE - The under fire Protection of Pakistan Ordinance 2013, also called by the Opposition as Black Law, would pave the way for the establishment of an institution identical to the American Department of Homeland Security.
More or less, the bill is replica of the US Patriot Act that was signed into law by President George W. Bush in October 2001 to strengthen security control after 9/11.
Before being enacted, the ordinance appears to be more controversial as the rights activists say the law threatens basic human rights and freedoms.
Liberal groups also believe the bill grants sweeping powers of arrest and detention to the security forces. Some political pundits feared that the political use of the law would destroy the prestige of the PPO in this society, where several state institutions are unable to control corruption.
In simple words, the legislation would enable the security agencies to arrest any person, keep him in custody anywhere, and try him where they feel suitable. Critics say the bill would help the law enforcing agencies to establish and run counter-terror cells under an umbrella of national counter terrorism authority on the pattern of American DHS.
On 26 February 2014, the government issued National Internal Security Policy (NISP) incorporating different anti terrorism laws to include Anti-Terrorism Act-2013 (ATA), Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) and Fair Trial Act (FTA), which provides security to the public to eradicate extremism and terrorism. The policy also provides extra ordinary protection to the citizen as well as to the officials of security and law enforcement agencies. It also addresses all the grey areas including public concerns on counter terrorism, intelligence coordination, legal aspects, counter narrative, de-radicalization, political ownership, integration of effort, and creation of a dedicated anti-terrorism force under the NACTA Act.
Under this bill, any person involved in anti-state violent activities would be considered as enemy of the state. This will help the government to treat all type of militants equally either they belonged to religious, ethnic, or separatists groups. The militants belonging to TTP, BLA, BRA, and non-state actors would be treated equally.
The PML-N government has tabled the bill in the national assembly at a time when the government-Taliban talks are underway amid uncertainty. Undoubtedly, dialogue with militants is a heartening idea filled with optimism and serene sense of harmony but to construe that successful resolution of all conflicts with TTP will make Pakistan a terror-free country is an over-simplification. Hence, there is a need to pay attention to strengthen the institutions and bring positive reforms in the system. There is a dire need to recognize the unprecedented sacrifices made by armed forces. It is need of the hour to resolve all internal conflicts and make Pakistan a peaceful and progressive democracy.
The new law would enable the law enforcing agencies to crush militancy and insurgency across the country. Experts say some Baloch dissidents are still playing in the hands of foreign agencies which have anti-Pakistan agenda and intend to create trouble in Balochistan using the dissidents as tools of their strategy.
Most of the Baloch are patriotic Pakistanis having reservations over priorities set by federal and provincial governments. Whereas, anti-state Baloch are against Pakistan having their vested interests and they are playing in the hands of foreign elements. The government has sincere desire to address all the issues of the patriotic Baloch. But a few anti-state Baloch Sardars, who are exploiting the situation in their own favor, will have to face tough consequences in the days ahead.
Because the bill would grant maximum powers to the law enforcing agencies the anti-state elements would never be allowed to create hype on the issue of missing persons to defame security forces at national and international levels.
Islamabad District Court was hit by terrorists and a honorable Session Judge (Rafaqat Hussain Awan), a young female lawyer (Miss Fiza) and many others lost their lives. The new legislation would help authorities establish special courts by concealing the identity of the judges and the witnesses. To maintain sectarian harmony, hate preachers would also be ‘silenced’ under the new legislation.