Anti-Terrorism Act 1997: Rising Political Cases Examined
Enacted nearly three decades ago to curb sectarian violence, Pakistan's Anti Terrorism Act 1997 increasingly sweeps up political leaders, lawyers, and civil activists.
The 1997 legislation created a parallel court system designed for rapid trials during severe sectarian violence.
Repeated legislative amendments have expanded the statutory definition of terrorism far beyond militant bombings.
Former prime ministers, regional ministers, rights lawyers, and political demonstrators face charges under the law.
Rights advocates warn that invoking counter-terrorism measures in routine disputes risks trivialising actual security threats.