Pakistan Amends Anti Terror Law Amid Fear of 'Territorial Disintegration'

By Animesh Roul

With prevalent chaotic political and security situation, Pakistan military government has amended the controversial Army Act of 1952. The amendment would allow military courts to prosecute anybody suspected of terrorist or subversive activity. It would also give a legal standing and sweeping powers to law enforcement and intelligence agencies to arrest any suspects and the detention could not be challenged in any court, including the Supreme Court. Government sources have been drawing parallel with the United States’ Patriot Act.

Pakistan’s military ruled government is increasingly loosing its grip over the mainstream political parties, especially Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party, even though countrywide crackdown continues on media, political activists and lawyers. The country, presently under emergency rule, is also fast loosing territory to pro-Taliban Jihadi elements, leaving President Musharraf in a bind. Thousands of militants, mostly from neighboring Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have already joined Maulana Fazlullah, the Islamist leader of Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) outfit, who holds sway over tribal dominated scenic Swat region. Fazlullah armed with deadly Shaheen commando force and one radio channel, raised voice against President Pervez Musharraf since late last month, have forced hundreds of security forces to surrender and captured many government posts and camps during their continued offensive. Fazlullah led militants’ reportedly controlled six administrative divisions of Swat including Matta, Charbagh, and Kalam. Sources indicate that the militants are planning to capture two remaining divisions of Swat in the coming days. Militants have reportedly replaced Pakistani flags with flags bearing Quranic inscription in the occupied territory. Like Fazlullah, Taliban warlord and Pro al Qaeda militant leader Baitullah Mehsud too holds control of over large tracts of Waziristan region. Observers fear the whole North West Frontier Province (NWFP), bordering Afghanistan, would come under militants’ occupation soon, if not restricted by Pakistan armed forces effectively. Now Musharraf has no option but to wage a full fledged war with militants, as talks in the past have failed with these militants.

TrackBack