ISLAMABAD- Two bills seeking amendment to the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 were introduced in the Senate today. These include the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill, 2014.

According to Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), State Minister for Interior introduced the bills which were sent to the relevant committees. Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2014 recommends more legislative measures to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcing agencies in tackling terrorism. It confers powers of investigation on Rangers, provides legal cover to Joint Investigation Team, enables police to become complainants in extortion cases and includes special provisions for the protection of witnesses (faceless) through video recording.

Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill, 2014 aims to prevent terrorism from being financed, something not covered in the anti-terrorism Act, 1997. It covers all aspects of terrorism, is at par with the international standards and provides effective measures for the law enforcement agencies to investigate terrorism.