- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 08 Jun 2025 05:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a move that has triggered alarm among rights groups and Baloch activists, the Balochistan Assembly passed the Counter-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act 2025 on June 4, granting sweeping powers to Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies. The legislation allows the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to detain individuals for up to 90 days on mere suspicion, without filing formal charges or producing them in court.
Under the new law, judicial oversight has been completely bypassed. Arrests, detentions, and even property seizures can be carried out without any warrant or court approval. The law empowers Joint Investigation Teams (JITs), composed of police and intelligence officials, to conduct ideological profiling, issue detention orders, and search homes and offices without prior judicial authorization.
“Legalised Detention Zone”
Civil rights groups have described the law as effectively turning Balochistan into a police state. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) condemned the legislation, saying it “legitimises enforced disappearances and extra-judicial practices already rampant in the province.” The group added, “This law effectively turns Balochistan into a legalised detention zone.”
Enforced disappearances have long plagued Balochistan, with families of victims campaigning for justice for decades. Many individuals allegedly abducted by state forces remain missing for 15 to 20 years without any legal recourse or information on their whereabouts.
Human Rights Groups Condemn Move
Leading international and domestic rights organisations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the law in strong terms. They argue it violates Article 10 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which provides safeguards against arbitrary detention, and contravenes Pakistan's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
“Such provisions constitute a grave violation of fundamental rights, including personal liberty, due process, and protection from arbitrary detention,” said the BYC in its statement. As international scrutiny mounts, critics are warning that the law represents a dangerous escalation in state overreach and could further destabilise the already volatile Balochistan region.
